NEW PALESTINE — Officials with New Palestine Community Schools have ironed out the details of a multi-year contract for the district’s new superintendent. The five-person school board has officially selected the person to lead the district starting this summer.
While the board and the person hired are aware of the contract agreement, district officials say they will not release the name of the new superintendent until after the board holds a public hearing on the contract, which is slated for 6:30 p.m. April 1.
Officials with the district note that the purpose of the public hearing is to discuss and hear public comments, including objections to and support for the proposed contract between the board and the candidate for superintendent.
The board will then hold it’s normal monthly meeting at 6:30 p.m. April 9, a day after the eclipse, to officially pass and approve the contract. Officials plan to make the name of the new superintendent available to the public at that meeting.
“We know the board has decided on who they want to be the superintendent, but we never want to get ahead of our school board, who is making sure everything is handled properly before an announcement is made,” Community Relations Director, Craig Smith said.
While the school board is being tight-lipped on who’ve they’ve hired to replace the outgoing superintendent, Lisa Lantrip, district officials have released details about the contract for the district’s new leader.
The proposed contract includes multiple provisions and, if approved, is expected to officially start July 1 and run three years, until June 30, 2027, with an automatic extension under Indiana law unless notice is given.
The annual contract lists a base salary of $172,500 with potential for annual increases ranging from 0-5% beginning July 1, 2025. There will also be consideration given to results of the superintendent’s evaluation and salary or stipend payments made to teachers pursuant to the Master Teacher’s Contract; and additional performance grant stipends equivalent to comparably evaluated teachers in the corporation.
The new superintendent will get 20 paid vacation days, 10 sick leave days, 12 family illness days, and three personal leave days annually, along with paid holidays as provided to all other full-time administrators.
Further details include the transfer of up to one hundred (100) accumulated unused sick leave days from previous employer. Upon the superintendent’s termination of employment with the district (whether for retirement or any other reason), the superintendent shall not receive compensation for any unused and accumulated sick leave days.
The superintendent will have access and employer contributions made to the current group health insurance coverage offered to current full-time administrators as well as access and employer contributions equivalent to all premiums except $1 employee contribution for term life, long term disability, dental and vision insurance.
The district will give a 401(a) employer retirement contribution of $4,000 for 2024. In calendar year 2025, an annual 401(a) employer retirement contribution of $8,000, increasing by $1,000 for each remaining calendar year of the contract.
All contributions to the Indiana Public Retirement System that would otherwise be required to be paid by the Superintendent would be paid by the School Corporation. Plus, the board shall reimburse the superintendent for appropriate business and professional expenses within the annual budget. Appropriate expenses shall include the cost of membership and participation in State and National professional associations for educational administrators and expenses related to the superintendent’s attendance at conferences and similar events.
The superintendent will also get all other benefits available to other full-time administrators and provisions regarding evaluation and termination processes consistent with applicable law.
