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Schools

Superintendent David Larson's New District Is Larger in Most Ways

Leader jumps to bigger-budget system a year before contract ends; school board knew two months ago.

Birmingham's westward-bound school superintendent next fall will oversee more students, more teachers and more spending. 

David Larson, chosen Monday for the top job in a suburban Chicago school district, also trades a district with a for one with a balanced budget that's 23-percent larger.

While news of his departure in three months surprised parents, teachers and residents, it didn't catch the seven school trustees in Birmingham off-guard.

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"Dr. Larson informally advised board members of the possibility he would pursue employment out of state in early January," president Susan Hill said.

Larson's new workplace, Glenbard Township High School District 87, serves more than 8,800 students in four regional high schools. By comparison, Birmingham has 15 schools with about 8,340 pupils from pre-kindergarten through high school.

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The Illinois district has a smaller overall staff, though there are 55 more teachers than in . A table below compares the systems, including compensation for the top job.

Superintendent Michael Meissen of Glenbard, who hasn't explained publicly why he gave 10 months' notice last summer, earns $215,664 annually. Larson's current base salary in Birmingham is $179,708, according to the district's administrative pay table.

At their meeting Monday night, the Glenbard ratified a three-year contract with Larson that will pay him $215,000 in the first year, The Daily Herald reports, with the option for increases based on performance evaluations.

This is a $35,000 pay increase for Larson. Larson will also receive a $500-per-month automobile stipend while the Glenbard district will reimburse him $10,000 of his moving expenses.

Larson, in office since 2008, has a three-year Birmingham contract running through June 2013. The first of 26 sections of this contract states that the "superintendent shall advise the Board of Education six months in advance of his intention to terminate his employment within the terms of this contract."

His heads-up to the board two months ago was close enough to comply, Hill says. No board member "intends to enforce the notice requirement," she confirms.

"It does not appear that enforcing such a provision would be in the best interest of the district, the students it serves or Dr. Larson," she said. "The board is turning its energies to securing an outstanding educational leader as we move forward."

Comparing the districts

Category

Birmingham

Glenbard

Operating budget

$107.3 million

$131.9 million

Enrollment

8,340

8,873

Grade levels

Pre-K-12

9-12

Total staff

1,100

928

Teachers

583
(87 percent advanced degrees)

638
(80 percent advanced degrees)

Schools

15

4

Supt. base salary

$179,708

$215,000

Bond rating

AA+

AA+

Notes: Figures are for 2011-12 school year. Advanced degrees are master's or doctorate.

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