Hinsdale D86 Official's $6,000 Raise Explained

DARIEN, IL – All seven Hinsdale High School District 86 board members praised a top official Thursday before giving her a "one-time" $6,000 pay raise.

That was after Kari Smith, assistant superintendent for student services, received an increase last month, along with other officials.

With the latest increase, Smith now makes $193,800 a year.

During a board meeting, Superintendent Michael Lach noted Smith recently received her superintendent's endorsement, often called a license.

He referred to the raise as a "market adjustment."

"I've only been here a little more than a month. She's great," Lach said. "It's clear that her position is underfunded when compared to comparable districts."

Lach said it was important that Smith continue working at District 86 and is satisfied with her employment.

During public comments, resident Kim Notaro, who often supports the current board, questioned giving a raise to just one person, although she did not mention Smith by name.

"If you give a raise to one person, how do you not give a raise to another?" Notaro said. "You have to work within a budget."

During the board discussion, member Jeff Waters said Smith's work had been "outstanding, especially for the most vulnerable students."

Member Catherine Greenspon told Smith, "You have brought member Waters to near tears."

"I'm thinking about the White Sox," Waters joked, likely referring to the team's dismal season.

Greenspon described herself as wholly supportive of Smith.

"You are almost always the first one in. You are almost always the last one out of the district offices," Greenspon said. "We know this because we have very early meetings in the district offices, and we also have late meetings."

She noted Smith was in charge of dean's and guidance offices, special education, social workers, and teacher's aides known as paraprofessionals.

"You impact and support all of our students every single day," Greenspon said.

The vote for Smith's raise was unanimous. Smith did not speak.

Smith started in July 2022 at a salary of $176,000. For the 2023-24 school year, the board increased administrators' pay, including an $8,800 hike for Smith, to $184,800.

During the latest round of raises for 2024-25, Smith's pay went up to $187,800.

For five years before coming to District 86, Smith, who has her doctorate in special education, headed student services for Elmwood Park School District 401.