Erwin's St Charles contract extension now undercover - Why?

Those wanting a better understanding of how Barbara Erwin works with the public and the press may find today's article in the Daily Herald illuminating.

St. Charles school Superintendent Barbara Erwin’s contract is now apparently off limits to the people who pay her $195,000 salary.

In a move one school board member called “bizarre,” St. Charles Unit District 303 denied a reporter’s request this month for a copy of Erwin’s contract or a document containing the superintendent’s salary.

District spokeswoman Lynn Martin said Tuesday that the document — previously available to numerous media outlets and the public — has been moved to Erwin’s personnel file, making it legally off limits.

“It’s a right of privacy if you go into the personnel file,” Martin said of the contract, which was approved by a school board and is funded entirely by tax dollars.

Martin said she couldn’t provide a reason why the contract was moved.

Erwin — presumably the only person capable of entering or directing someone to enter her own personnel file other than a school board member — did not immediately return calls seeking comment.

The refusal to provide a copy of her contract was in response to a May 4 Freedom of Information Act request by a reporter for the St. Charles Republican newspaper.

The request came about the same time questions arose over whether the school board in 2005 illegally approved a five-year contract extension for Erwin out of public view.

On Tuesday, board member Karla Ray, who considers herself an advocate for open government, said there’s “no reason (the public) should not have the contract.” “...Openness creates trust,” she said, “and that’s what we so sorely need right now.”