Noblesville school board hears new superintendent’s contract proposal

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A salary base increase and retirement incentive are the two major provisions discussed by the Noblesville School Board during a public meeting on Feb. 4 at the Educational Services Center, 18025 River Rd.

Conner
Conner

Noblesville Superintendent Dr. Libbie Conner’s current contract expires June 30, 2015. The proposed amendment includes the following provisions:

■ In recognition of salary adjustments to administration, a base salary increase of 6 percent retroactive to July 1, 2013. This will make her annual salary $166,632.

Assistant Superintendent Steve Stephanoff said district administrators have received an 8 percent salary increase since 2011 while Conner’s pay has not increased.

“It gets Dr. Conner caught up,” Attorney Andrew Manna said.

Stephanoff said Noblesville is behind other neighboring school corporations as Carmel Clay’s superintendent makes $195,000; Hamilton Southeastern is $170,000 with $40,000 in incentives; Westfield Washington’s Mark Keen makes $161,000; and the new Lawrence Township superintendent is being paid $175,000.

“Dr. Conner’s salary is in the ballpark but certainly lower than most,” he said.

Conner, a former principal at Noblesville Middle School, became superintendent in July 2009. Her contract was $150,000 at the time. Stephanoff said Conner’s pay increased to $157,200 when the state board of accounts removed car usage for school administrators.

■ A retirement incentive stating that if Conner provides 90-days advanced written retirement notice for a retirement to be effective on or before Sept.15, 2014, and retires on or before that date, then she will be paid $25,000. The completion of her salary will be on the effective date of retirement.

School Board President Pat Berghoff said state changes in pension compensation mean retirement proceeds will be less than they are now. He added that Conner has made no announcement of retirement plans

“We want to get out in front should she decide to retire this year,” Berghoff said. “Because the changes to pension collection is so dramatic it becomes a distinct possibility. Is it eminent? No. If it does happen we want to get out in front of it.”

Manna said it is the standard process across the state for school districts to use to start a search early.

In a room with just a handful of residents, Keith Toby was the lone person to discuss the proposal. Toby asked if a performance matrix was used

“How and why are we compensating the superintendent?,” he asked.

By state statute, board member Julia Kozicki explained, the board is required to evaluate the superintendent the same as administrators evaluate teachers.

“We’ve done that and found her to be effective so she is entitled to an increase,” Mrs. Kozicki said. “It’s done by statute, so it does not need to be in the contract.”

A complete copy of the proposed contract is available on the school district’s website, www.noblesvilleschools.org.

The board anticipates taking final action on the contract at its regular meeting on Feb. 18.


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