by Darran Simon, The Times-Picayune

Wednesday October 29, 2008, 5:36 AM

Recovery School District Superintendent Paul Vallas, whose two-year contract expires in June, has agreed to lead the state-run school system through the 2009-10 school year.

Vallas, a Chicago-area native who commutes to the Illinois suburb where his wife and teenage sons live, still must hammer out a contract with state Superintendent Paul Pastorek. The former Chicago and Philadelphia schools chief had previously said he likely would leave New Orleans after this school year.

"My wife is supportive of me staying another year. She wants me to get home a little more often, but ultimately, she is supportive, " said Vallas, 55.

Vallas and Pastorek both said the recent departure of chief of staff Kelvin Adams lends added urgency to crafting a contract extension for Vallas. Adams, a well-liked former principal whom Vallas had openly referred to as his top choice for a successor, accepted the St. Louis public schools superintendent position last month.

Pastorek said Vallas is "definitely committed to help grow another candidate in the role, should he leave."

The state-run district directly operates 34 public schools in New Orleans and oversees 33 more independent charter schools. Under Vallas, LEAP test scores have increased in many state-run district schools, particularly in the elementary grades. Some of the gains are attributable to the district stabilizing during the past school year, following a period of turmoil and teacher shortages immediately after Hurricane Katrina.

The district's scores, while still low in many cases, increased faster than those around the state.

Vallas has also embarked on an ambitious spending pattern that he acknowledges cannot be sustained, a point of concern with some educators and elected state education board members. While the district fronted millions for flood-related repairs -- for which it will ultimately be reimbursed with federal money -- Vallas' spending patterns could still mean drastic cuts in the future.

Top-paid superintendent

Initially, Vallas' contract paid him a base salary of $238,386 and called for a 6 percent raise last October and annual raises, provided he receives positive evaluations. Vallas also receives $4,000 a month for housing expenses.

The two-year contract was a pay cut from Philadelphia, where Vallas made about $400,000 in his final year, including bonus and retention pay. He would have made close to $500,000 if he had stayed there.

Already the highest paid local superintendent in the state, Vallas likely will emerge from contract negotiations with a raise, Pastorek said. Vallas might end up earning nearly as much as urban superintendents running much larger districts such as Boston and Miami, where superintendents make $300,000 or more.

The average annual urban superintendent salary was $207,547 in 2006, according to a Council of the Great City Schools' survey of most of the 65 large school districts the nonprofit group serves. The average salary for urban superintendents with five years or more experience was $215,000, according to the council.

'System needs stability'

Most educators agree that longevity in a superintendent's tenure bodes well for a district's success. And New Orleans, like St. Louis and other large cities, has seen its share of short-lived superintendents.

"While I might not agree with everything that Vallas has done, I think the system needs stability and he's bringing enough energy and new ideas to the reformation of the school system, " said Mickey Landry, principal of Lafayette Academy Charter School. "Getting him for another year is a good thing."

United Teachers of New Orleans President Larry Carter said his group has enjoyed a good working relationship with Vallas, who meets monthly with union administration and staff members, though the union has no contract with the state-run system.

Carter said teachers are concerned about the plethora of programs Vallas has instituted. "The initiatives seem to come at rapid-fire pace. Today it could be this program. Tomorrow it could be another program, " Carter said. "Sometimes they are being rushed without seeing the impact of those that are already there."

Among his initiatives, Vallas has brought in new technology, embarked on a high school reform plan financed by foundation money, and instituted a longer school day ending at 4:30 p.m. most days to allow for more instruction time.

Some local educators say the longer day drains teachers and students, and question its effectiveness on student achievement.

Future of charters in N.O.

Vallas' proposed contract extension means the district likely would forge ahead with its push toward decentralization and support continued chartering of city schools. Vallas also will continue to expand alternative teacher certification programs like Teach for America.

With 47 charter schools, New Orleans has the nation's highest percentage of charter schools, with close to 60 percent of its children in charter schools, and more schools could likely be ushered in during the next round of charter approvals.

Since coming on board, Vallas has made no secret of his higher political aspirations beyond New Orleans, which has prompted some local educators to question his commitment to the city.

Vallas came close to securing the 2002 Illinois Democratic gubernatorial nomination in a self-financed campaign. When questioned in April, he said he was "open to running again, " noting that the current governor had missed opportunities at reform and that he "could have made a difference."

But he steered clear of firmly committing. For now, he said he is not actively campaigning for the position and is committed to New Orleans.

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Darran Simon can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or 504.826.3386.