Stephanie Posey will be the principal at Belleville East High School for another three years. The Belleville School District 201 school board renewed Posey's contract during its meeting Monday night.

Posey's current contract expires the end of this school year, and the board unanimously renewed her contract for another three years.

The board also approved a 2.5 percent salary increase for Posey. Starting July 1, Posey will earn $124,630 a year. She currently earns an annual salary of $121,564.

Superintendent Dr. Jeff Dosier explained Posey's contract states salary increases are based on performance and will be determined by the school board at the end of each school year for the following year.

Dosier praised Posey's leadership of East. "She's done an excellent job," he said. "She has great vision for Belleville East. She's a strong disciplinarian and an instructional leader."

Posey said she's looking forward to another three years as principal. "I feel very fortunate to be the principal at East. I have a passion for the Belleville East campus, for the students and for the families that are part of the Lancer family," she said. "I'm very appreciative of the board for having confidence in the job I do."

Posey, 44, of Fairview Heights, has been the principal at East the last three years. Prior to becoming principal, she served as assistant principal for five years.

Posey, a mother of three including a sophomore at East, described East students as "outstanding" and staff members as "second to none. Everyone works together to make sure students are successful," she said.

Posey began her career with District 201 11 years ago as special education chair at Belleville West High School. She has bachelor's and master's degrees from Southern Illinois University Carbondale and a specialist's degree from Lindenwood University.

In other news Monday night, the board approved a resolution to transfer $1,050,000 from the School Fire Prevention and Safety Fund to the Bond and Interest Sinking Fund Account of 2007 for payment of principal and interest on general obligation schools bonds.

The board tabled a decision to retain the law firm of Hodges, Loizzi, Eisenhammer, Rodick, & Kohn LLP for legal services until its March board meeting.

Contact reporter Jamie Forsythe at 239-2562 or jforsythe1@bnd.com.