The West Aurora School District 129 board recently approved a one-year extension of Superintendent Michael Smith’s contract.
“Dr. Smith has the full support from the school board, as can be seen by the unanimous consent to extend his contract with the district another year,” West Aurora School District Board President Richard Kerns said in a response to questions from The Beacon-News.
Smith had spent more than two decades with the district when the board selected him in November of 2022 to be the eventual replacement for Superintendent Jeff Craig, who retired June 30, 2024.
Smith stepped into the role of superintendent once Craig retired.
Kerns said that Smith made a “smooth transition” and has done a “great job of achieving” or making “great progress” on goals that were established last year.
Smith’s contract was due to end on June 30, 2027, West Aurora Associate Superintendent of Operations Angie Smith said. The board’s vote extends the contract to June 30, 2028.
The superintendent’s new extended employment agreement is for the years July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2028. During the first year of the contract, the superintendent will receive compensation of $280,000, which includes the required contribution to the Teachers’ Retirement System.
His 4% salary increase for the 2025-26 school year under the agreement is the same as for the majority of the district’s other administrators, Angie Smith said.
The school board reviews the performance of a superintendent annually and decides when and for how long to extend the contract, she said.
The board will discuss the superintendent’s goals for the 2025-26 school year next month, West Aurora School District officials said.
Linda Girardi is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
