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District 194 superintendent earns 3 percent raisePosted: 12/12/03 by Tad Johnson Gary Amoroso, superintendent of the Lakeville Area School District, had a new contract unanimously approved Tuesday by the School Board. The three-year contract starts July 1, 2004 and includes a 3 percent raise in the first year and the board will determine increases in subsequent years. Board members are currently reviewing its superintendent evaluation process to use for the contractís final two years. They hope the process will result in more complete and consistent reviews. Amoroso, who is entering his third year with the district, will have his base salary increase to $142,526 for 2004-05. He would receive a 5 percent pay increase upon completion of his doctoral program. Board Chairwoman Holly Dahl said the board evaluated Amoroso in the areas of communication, leadership, implementation of the strategic plan, professional development and district finance. ìHe has done a fine job,î Dahl said. ìWe are pleased with what we hear from parents, staff and the community. ìHe has done what we have asked and more.î Some of the areas in which Amoroso has taken the lead is the development of strategic plan with input from teachers, administrators, parents and students. He has organized meetings with local municipalities and townships to establish collaborative efforts. He also has developed the idea of an education foundation. ìWe are very confident in his ability and willingness to grow,î Dahl said. She said the benefit portion of the contract is similar to other union employees in the district, though Amoroso has a few other benefits ìbecause he is the CEO.î After this spring when State Auditor Pat Awada called some districtsí superintendent contracts into question, Dahl said the board had those items checked and discussed them. Awada questioned the number of unused vacation days District 196 Superintendent John Haro ìcashed outî when he left for another district. Amoroso is not allowed to accrue vacation days from year to year. He receives 30 vacation days annually. As for sick days, Amoroso earns 15 annually. These may accrue and he would be paid the daily rate of pay at the time, not to exceed 130 days. Without vacation and sick days, his current severance pay would be the rate of pay for 35 days ó about $18,500. This would increase to 60 days after three years, 90 days after four years and 50 percent of his base compensation for five or more years of service. Upon his retirement from the district, the contract would allow him to enroll in group health insurance plans offered to active employees, if he has completed at least 10 years of service to the district and is at least 55 years old. Tad Johnson is at tad.johnson@ecm-inc.com. -- Check out this week's newspaper for more about your community. © Thisweek Newspapers |
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