Ambrogi
The Coordination and Administration Committee of the Manchester Board of School Committee went into non public session on July 29th and discussed contract extensions for Superintendent Debra Livingston, Assistant Superintendent David Ryan and Business Administrator Karen DeFrancis. When they came out, they made recommendations that might raise eyebrows.
On unanimous votes, the committee approved granting the three top administrators a two year contract. Prior practice had been to grant annual extensions. Both Livingston and DeFrancis will see pay raises in each of the two years tied to the increase in the tax cap. In addition, Livingston was granted two extra personal days.
Livingston: Pay raises and personal days on the agenda
Ryan’s contract was also extended for two years. While he will not see a salary increase, he will see his “educational allotment” increase to $5,000 with an additional $2,500 match paid by the district. The wording of the motion was imprecise, so we are uncertain as to whether or not the increase in the district match brings the total it will pay for Ryan’s educational pursuits to $5,000. Whether or not the educational allotment is an annual one or the total for the contract period.
We have requested copies of the contracts, which are now public as they have been voted on in public and will upload them with this article upon receipt. Needless to say, we will also edit our story to accurately reflect their terms.
Voting in favor of the new contracts were Committee Chair Sarah Ambrogi (D-Ward 1), Ted Rokas (D-Ward 5), Erika Connors (D-Ward 8) and Kathy Staub (D-at-Large). Mayor Ted Gatsas was absent from the meeting.
The contracts will not take effect until and unless approved by the full Board of School Committee, which is expected to take them up at the meeting on August 10, 2015.
Take effect, not affect.
Thanks for the correction, Joan!
You’re welcome.
The Non Public to discuss personnel issues is proper but to discuss pay increases is not proper.
If pay increases are to be given they should discuss what the salaries are for the administrators level of education in the community and then whether or not they feel increases should be made.
Wonder how many people who elected these five make the kind of money they are handing our????