Sherrard School Board Approves Superintendent Dr. Carl Johnson's Contract for Five More Years
Sherrard, IL – July 17, 2024 "His leadership is a great asset to our organization, and we see limitless potential in his continued leadership," said School Board President Rhys Fullerlove.
The Sherrard School Board has voted to extend Superintendent Dr. Carl Johnson's contract for five more years, from 2024 to 2029. The extension is a result of Dr. Johnson's accomplishments during his initial two-year tenure, including progress in financial management, staff development, and student engagement. Superintendent Dr. Carl Johnson was interviewed by Jim Taylor (right) of radio station, WRMJ, Aledo, about his "Convos with Carl" tour. The last few months of school Dr. Johnson made a stop in several communities with cookies - and invited the community to bring their thoughts about the district and catch up with him personally. The tour included the New Windsor Public Library, Matherville Fire Department, Sherrard Fire Department, and Viola Public Library.
"The board extended Dr. Johnson's contract because we are extremely satisfied with his performance. His leadership has guided the district through continuous growth, and we believe extending his contract is crucial for our ongoing success," said Fullerlove.
Dr. Johnson was named Sherrard Superintendent in November 2021 after an extensive search and vetting process conducted by the school board under the direction of the Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB).
During his first two years, he successfully managed a multi-million dollar project, keeping it on budget from the start, and negotiated one of the district's best teacher and staff union contracts, demonstrating his commitment to fair and productive labor relations, according to Fullerlove.
"Dr. Johnson has demonstrated exceptional leadership, making bold decisions and taking full responsibility for them," he added.
"The board has been consistently impressed with his compassionate approach combined with his ability to hold individuals accountable.
"Dr. Johnson expressed his commitment to enhancing the district’s stability and prosperity. He plans to focus on fostering an environment where governance supports excellence for students, staff, and the community, building on the district's strong foundation.
"The Sherrard district is a phenomenal place to be. It has everything a family could want and has more to offer than most districts our size," said Dr. Johnson. "This is the district my family has called home for over 100 years, and it is a wonderful set of communities to serve.
"He praised the district’s vibrant community and the school board’s effective oversight, saying, "The school board is a model of how effective and productive volunteer service can actually be. The students, staff, parents, and community members here are second to none.
"Under Dr. Johnson’s leadership, in collaboration with the school board, staff, and administration, the district has achieved the following:
Collaborative Staff and Faculty: Building a cohesive team of dedicated professionals.
Efficient Negotiations: Concluding a collective bargaining agreement in record time.
Financial Optimization: Maximizing investment opportunities to strengthen cash reserves.
Lowering Taxes: Reducing the district’s property tax rate to ensure fiscal health.
Teacher Vacancy Grant: Securing a $94,000 annual grant to address teacher shortages.
Improving Administration: Enhancing the administrative team’s effectiveness.
Modernizing Fleet Vehicles: Updating the district's vehicles for safety and efficiency.
Student-Led Conferences: Introducing student-led conferences to boost engagement.
Tier 3 Intervention Room: Establishing a new intervention room at SHS for targeted support.
Fullerlove explained the new contract: “Dr. Johnson's contract was extended without major changes, maintaining the existing terms. However, we introduced a performance-based pay raise tied to the achievement of the district’s strategic planning goals. Additionally, any salary increase Dr. Johnson receives will not exceed the average salary increase of our teachers for the year, ensuring fairness and alignment with district-wide standards.”
Dr. Johnson has 28 years of experience in education, having previously served as the superintendent of Colona School District 190. He taught for nine years as a high school teacher, then served five years as assistant principal and principal of a middle school, followed by seven years as a high school principal before his current position. He graduated from Sherrard High School in 1990.
