Joliet high school board agrees to pay Hanson through June 30

Now former Superintendent Mike Hanson will continue to be paid his $210,000 salary plus benefits through the remainder of the school year, according to a separation agreement approved by the Joliet Township High School board on Tuesday.

The board unanimously approved the separation agreement at a special meeting in which it also hired Assistant Superintendent Karla Guseman as the new superintendent through June 30, 2024.

Hanson leaves after just seven months on the job but with a letter of recommendation from a school board that says he did nothing wrong.

"We want you to know that this mutual separation is not a result of fault or misconduct," board President Tracy Spesia said in a prepared statement at the meeting. "Both Dr. Hanson and the board of education believe that a separation is in the best interest of the district."

Spesia and other board members did not specify the reasons for Hanson's departure, although some comments seemed to suggest Guseman may be considered better suited for the Joliet job.

Guseman has been in the district since 2000 starting as a science teacher. She had been assistant superintendent of educational services since 2011.

Spesia after the meeting said Guseman was a finalist for the superintendent job with Hanson before the board chose Hanson, who came to Joliet from South Dakota.

"What I have come to understand is Dr. Guseman has shown leadership skills far beyond what I knew were there," Spesia said.

She would only speak in generalities about the reasons for Hanson's departure.

"I would say philosophical differences in terms of agreeing on what needed to happen to move this district forward," she said.

Other board members also commented on Guseman's suitability for the position.

"She knows the challenges of the district," board member Frank Edmon Jr. said. "I think the board understands that as well."

The school district did not clarify exactly how much money Hanson will get. But based on a payment schedule running through June 30, pay should be $87,500.

Hanson's resignation was effective Jan. 31, leaving him five months remaining to be paid.

Spesia noted that the last two years of Hanson's contract will not be paid.

The school district also will not make full payment if Hanson gets another job as superintendent before June 30. If Hanson does get a job that pays less than what he was getting in Joliet, the school district would pay the difference.

Also Guseman's position as assistant superintendent, which paid her $171,634, will not be filled for the remainder of this school year. So the district will save on that salary while paying out the remainder of Hanson's salary.

The board amended Guseman's contract raising her pay to an annual level of $215,000 a year through June 30. Spesia noted Guseman will continue responsibilities as assistant superintendent in that period.

Guseman's salary will be increased to $226,000 on July 1 under a contract that runs through June 30, 2024 and provides for unspecified future pay increases at a rate that is "no less than the percentage increase that is given to the administrative staff."

Two board members, Matthew Kennedy and Jim Allison, voted against Guseman's contract but emphasized they did so only because they disagreed with a monthly $375 travel allowance and favored a reimbursement system with submitted receipts.

Both said they supported Guseman for the job.

"I am looking forward to the positive changes and positive advancement that we're going to make," Allison said.