Blue Earth Area School Board members easily approved master contracts for the district’s teachers and three principals on Monday night.
However, giving the thumbs up to a new three-year contract for the superintendent was a different story.
Board member Sara Hauskins made it pretty clear that she would like to have Evan Gough’s annual review done before voting to give him a pay raise.
“I don’t feel comfortable approving a contract before the evaluation is completed,” says Hauskins. “I would hope you all feel we would all evaluate him.”
Hauskins asked board chair Frankie Bly to give a timeline on Gough’s evaluation.
“We’re putting the finishing touches on it,” says Bly. “You’ll see a copy in November and a public copy at the January meeting.”
Hauskins says because there are two new board members, everyone should take part in the evaluation.
Gough recommended the board table the issue and expedite the evaluation process.
Currently, he is earning an annual salary of $126,814 and would see yearly 2 percent increases for three years beginning in the 2018-19 school year.
High school principal Richard Schneider’s salary increased to $100,980 for this school year and will see it go up to $103,00 in 2018-19 and $105,060.
K-7 grade principal Melissa McGuire will earn $98,940 this year; $100,919 in 2018-19; and $102,937 in 2019-20. Assistant K-7 principal David Dressler will be paid $87,210, $88,954 and $90,733.
Under their three-year contract, salary and benefits for a teacher will increase an average total of 3.2 percent.