Nettie Collins-Hart, Proviso Township High School District 209 superintendent, got caught in the middle between the D209 school board and the district’s Financial Oversight Panel at a meeting on Jan. 22 when the panel tabled a two-year extension of her contract and a $20,000 raise, approved the previous week by the board of ed.
Collins-Hart, who was hired in 2008, was praised at the Jan. 15 board meeting by ex-board president Chris Welch who said, “I think the superintendent has done a great job. She has brought stability to a needed position. In addition, she basically has to work for two boards.”
Collins-Hart had to negotiate with both boards a week later when the Financial Oversight Panel wanted further time to consider the recommendation to extend her contract to 2015.
The panel was given new powers and upgraded to 1H status by the Illinois State Board of Education, effective July 1. Part of those new duties include the ability to hire and fire superintendents.
“We are talking with Illinois State Board of Education Superintendent Chris Koch about our course of action,” said oversight panel President James Popernik. He pointed out that the 1H status is relatively new and districts are learning what their options are.
Collins-Hart currently earns $218,791.13. She also receives a $9,000 annuity and almost $49,000 in other benefits, according to the district’s compensation report.
