By LARRY LANNAN
We may not know the name of the new Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools Superintendent yet, but we do know the provisions in that person’s contract with the district.
April 22 is the date we have been given for the announcement of the individual set to replace retiring superintendent of schools Allen Bourff. But the school board will hold a public hearing and vote on the new superintendent’s contract before we know anything about the individual to be hired.
I understand the school board’s desire to have the pact in place as the new superintendent enters the job, but it is hard for the public to comment on a contract for the head of our local public schools when we have no idea of that person’s background and experience.
The compensation package for the newly-selected superintendent will be slightly lower that the current contract with Allen Bourff.
The contract spans three years, includes an annual salary of $180,000, and has many other benefits listed.
Here is the public notice published by the school district with the contract provisions of the new HSE Schools superintendent:
The Hamilton Southeastern Board of School Trustees will hold a meeting on Wednesday, April 14, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. in the Hamilton Southeastern Central Administration Office located at 13485 Cumberland Road, Fishers, Indiana for the purpose of discussing and hearing objections to and support for a proposed contract between the School Board of Trustees and the Superintendent of Schools.
The proposed contract includes the following provisions:
A. An initial term of three (3) years.
B. An annual salary of $180,000 to be adjusted annually by the percentage of the increase, if any, granted to the three other highest paid HSE administrators.
C. A contribution on behalf of the Superintendent to the Teachers Retirement Fund at a rate established by the Fund (currently 3.0% of salary)
D. Fringe benefits as follows:
- Life and Long-term Disability Insurance with an estimated current cost to the Board of $750 per year
- Health, Vision and Dental Insurance as given to other administrators with an estimated current cost to the Board of $9,272.88 per year
- Leave for illness and other leaves accorded all administrators
- Right to transfer illness leave days from prior employment in accordance with state law and the right, as provided to other employees, to sell up to 20 days each year for $60/day to be placed in a 457 (b) plan as long as the employee maintains at least 50 leave days after the sale
- 20 paid vacation days per year with a right to receive payment for up to five unused vacation days each year
- Matching contribution of up to 5% of salary in a 403(b) plan as given to other administrators
- Deferred compensation contribution of 10% of base salary per year
- A vehicle allowance of $500 per month
- Reimbursement or payment of conference expenses
- Technology provided as per other administrators and a smartphone/cell phone allowance of $125/month
- Medicare and FICA taxes as paid for all employees
- The uninsured cost of an annual physical examination as required by the Board
E. The contract contains other terms regarding evaluation, indemnification and termination.
* * *
A complete copy of the proposed contract will be posted on the school’s website, hseschools.org. The Board anticipates taking final action on this contract at meeting to be held no earlier than April 22, 2021.