District U-46 Superintendent Suzanne Johnson’s base salary will be nearly $300,000 in the first year of a new 5-year contract approved Monday night by the school board.
“Over the course of the last two years, Dr. Johnson has led our district with a deep commitment to the current and future success of our students,” board President Melissa Owens said, reading from a prepared statement.
Johnson has met the goals established for her by the board, Owens said, including completion of a formative data collection for the U-46 Rising initiative, revisions to a 5-year pathways plan, continuation and implementation of the district’s 5-year facilities plan, and development of a new strategic plan.
Under the new agreement, Johnson’s goals will be to drive student attainment of literacy and math skills, develop a plan to increase attendance to 90%, enhance the climate and culture of U-46 schools, and prepare students for their lives and careers beyond school.
“We have the utmost confidence that under the terms of this contract Dr. Johnson’s leadership will continue to move this district and our students forward,” Owens said.
After the vote, Johnson read a prepared statement in which she thanked the board for its trust and confidence in her and for extending her contract. She also thanked the U-46 staff.
“Your trust and your support is everything as we work to move forward,” she said.
As a former teacher and coach, Johnson likened working in education to taking part in the ultimate team sport.
“There is no way any of this would be possible without this extensive team of people that is so committed and passionate about what we do,” she said.
Johnson has worked as an educator for nearly 30 years, and has been employed by District U-46 for her entire career. After holding a variety of jobs, she was named interim superintendent when Tony Sanders left to become state superintendent of education and was later given the job on a permanent basis in May 2023 at a salary of $282,500.
Her new contract runs from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2030 and calls for a base salary of $299,704. Depending on the board’s annual review, the base will increase between 3% and 5% annually and pays Johnson’s entire contribution to the Illinois Teachers’ Retirement System.
Johnson will have 25 days of paid vacation each year, exclusive of holidays, and can be paid for up to 10 of those she does not use, under the new contract.
She has been given 15 days of sick leave per year and will be granted a one-time allotment of 100 sick days in addition to her normal annual allotment by Dec. 31. Sick days will be accumulated to a maximum of 340 days over the term of the contract.
The contract also provides the same health and dental insurance to Johnson and her family that it offers other employees. In her case, though, the board covers the entire premium cost.
No dollar value for the benefits was included in the documents provided at the board meeting.
Outside of Chicago, U-46 is the state’s largest school district. In September 2024, it had an enrollment of nearly 34,000 students, according to the Illinois State Board of Education.
Mike Danahey is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.
