Pay hike OK'd by SA board (7/20/05)

BERNE — A 1 percent pay increase for school administrators won narrow approval from the South Adams School Board Tuesday night, despite a request to delay action until a settlement can be reached on a new teachers’ contract.

Board president Arlene Amstutz cast the deciding vote as the pay increase was approved 4-3. Amstutz also cast the deciding vote against a motion by board member Tony Mellencamp to wait.

“I feel we’re closer ... to settling things (with the teachers’ union),” Mellencamp said. “I may be Don Quixote or something, but I feel that way. I think we’re close ... to becoming South Adams again.”

Amstutz said following the meeting that she felt it was time to set the administrators’ pay and move on.

Board members had postponed acting on the matter at their June meeting.

Under the new pay schedule, superintendent Connie Bailey will make $98,482.76 in 2005-06.

Other pay rates are as follows: High school principal, $71,196.04; middle school principal, $61,661.98; elementary principal, $61,280.13; assistant principal, $59,854.50; athletic director, $58,271.75; and guidance counselor, $61,788.17.

The schedule also includes high school extracurricular pay rates of $4,200 for the band director, $7,306 for the football coach and $6,100 for the basketball coach.

Amstutz was unanimously re-elected president of the school board, while Denny Affolder was elected vice president and Mellencamp was elected secretary.

Bailey reported to the board that work is progressing on summer renovation projects at South Adams High School.

Plumbing work is 90 percent completed, and much of the re-painting has been done. “They are still predicting that our lockers will be installed by Aug. 10,” she said, although access to the locker rooms may be a problem during the first week of football practice.

Board members unanimously approved the purchase of a heavy-duty bus lift to be installed at the bus garage at a cost of $20,107. Although that was not the lowest quote, school officials said they felt it was the best and most complete quote received. The equipment will be purchased from and installed by O.T.T. Equipment Services Inc., Noblesville.

Previously, work on school buses had been done solely with the use of jacks, and the new lift is expected to be much safer.

In other business, the board:

•Set a budget hearing for Tuesday, Aug. 9, with final approval set for Tuesday, Sept. 13.

•Established textbook rental charges and school fees as presented by administrators.

•Hired Jennifer Snow and Kristie Guimer as elementary school teachers.

•Approved a new agreement for Area 18 Career and Technical Education.

•Agreed to have the county building inspector look at a plaster problem at the elementary school and hire a structural engineer if necessary to examine it as well.[[In-content Ad]]