Mellodie Brown, formerly the associate superintendent of Dolton Elementary District 149, has assumed the role of superintendent with an annual salary of $205,000, according to her employment contract. This salary matches that of her predecessor, Maureen White, when she first took the position in 2022.
The district initially declined to disclose salary information, prompting a public records request through the Freedom of Information Act. The Dolton 149 board approved White’s retirement agreement during a meeting on May 21, which included a payment of $180,730 to release her from her contract effective June 26.
Brown’s contract spans from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029, with scheduled salary increases to $245,000 for the 2027-28 school year and $285,000 for 2028-29. Her benefits package includes a $425 monthly travel allowance and full coverage for family health, vision, and dental insurance under any district plan. Additionally, Brown will receive 15 vacation days and 10 sick days in her first year, with both increasing by five days annually over the contract period.
By comparison, White received a 34% salary increase after her first year, raising her pay to $275,000 for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years. For the 2025-26 year, White earned $303,160, with an intended 6% increase to $321,350 for the 2026-27 year before her retirement was approved. The district stated that the decision for White to step down was mutually agreed upon, citing differences in organizational fit and future direction.
District 149, which serves approximately 2,100 students, includes schools such as Caroline Sibley, Carol Moseley Braun, Creative Communications Academy, S.T.E.M. Academy, and School of Fine Arts in Calumet City; New Beginnings Learning Academy in South Holland; and Berger-Vandenberg and Diekman in Dolton.
During White’s tenure, the district announced several achievements, including the renovation of three schools and the establishment of a career and technical education program for middle school students. A district news release credited White with fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, collaboration, and high expectations. Social media posts by the district credited White with a nearly 19% increase in reading achievement and a 9% rise in math achievement districtwide.
However, Illinois State Board of Education data presents a different picture, indicating only marginal gains in student growth from 2022 through 2025. Growth in English and language arts improved slightly from outperforming 43% of students statewide in 2022 to 44% in 2025. Mathematics growth increased modestly, from outperforming 40% to 41% statewide during the same period.
Overall proficiency rates remain low; approximately 24% of District 149 students are proficient in English and language arts compared to the state average of 52%. In mathematics, proficiency is at 10%, well below the Illinois average of 38%.
An analysis from last year found that superintendent salaries across Illinois often do not align with the size, wealth, or academic performance of their districts. For example, the former superintendent of nearby Dolton District 148, Kevin Nohelty, earned about $450,000 annually—one of the highest salaries in the state—before his unexpected retirement in August 2025. Nohelty indicated he retired after the board president declined his proposal to buy out his contract.