 |
| Dr. Donna Simpson-Leak Sauk Village's new Superintendent of Schools |
SAUK VILLAGE | School District 168 School Board approved hiring the controversial candidate for Superintendent of Schools Dr. Donna Simpson-Leak to replace retiring Superintendent Al Travaglini. Travaglini took over as Superintendent in 2011.
The vote to hire Leak was 4 to 3 voting yes were Mary Howard
sister to Sauk Village Mayor David Hanks, Aisa El-Amin, Deloris Green and Jimo
Kasali and voting no were School Board President Sharon Davenport, Tammy Jones
and Melvin Stevenson.
The fact that Leak is a woman didn’t matter to a school
board dominated by women. “It’s not
about gender, it’s about what’s best for the children, and it’s about the
chemistry of the staff” Davenport said of her NO vote of Leak as
Superintendent. “The most important thing
that we (the school board) can do is hire a Superintendent. As a board, out of all the people we had to
choose from, I feel like we should have been able to have more of a consensus
on a candidate for the position” Davenport said. Davenport pledged to work with the incoming
Superintendent and respects the decision of the Board.
The $800,000 lawsuit filed by Leak against her former
employer, Rich Township School District 227 did not weigh on their decision to
vote yes according to Green. “The
lawsuit has not been settled yet. I read
about some of what they accused her of it did not happen” Green said following
the board meeting. “I feel good about
my decision” Green said. As for the
board’s split decision Green said “I think it says we’re individuals and we
vote our conscience”.
Long-time resident Rose Langston, who attended Monday night’s
meeting doesn’t feel that Leak was the right decision. “I think she is carrying too much baggage”
Langston said. “I wish her well and hope
we don’t run into the same problems we had before” Langston said referring to
the scandal of former imprisoned Superintendent Thomas Ryan. Several residents who attended did not speak
out but were not happy with the board’s decision, one long-time resident saying
as he left the building “this summed up their sorry political career by voting
yes for her (Leak)”.
Leak will transition into the position starting May 27th until June 30th and receive $693.87 per day and will work 10 days during this period according to her employment agreement. Her employment agreement is for a two year period. Leak will be paid $170,000 per year, only $1,000 less than Travaglini. She will receive retirement contributions into the State’s retirement fund; $500 per month in “expenses”; $200,000 in paid life insurance; 100% paid health insurance benefits for herself and her family in addition $1,500 per month in any health related expenses; paid long-term disability; $15,000 per year paid by the district into a 403(b); 20 paid vacation days commencing on day one; 15 sick days; $400 per month auto allowance; plus a paid cell phone and other expense reimbursements.
“I feel honored and privileged to be working in Sauk Village” Leak said following the meeting. As for the split decision of the Board “I am going to continue the great things that he (Travaglini) has had going, but we have a lot of changes in education coming down the pike” Leaks said. As far as staff changes Leak has no immediate plans “we have to look at budgets and really roll my sleeves up and get a look at it. Al and I have some transition time so we’ll look at it” Leak said.
No comments:
Post a Comment