AUGUSTA — The school board has voted to give Superintendent James Anastasio a new three-year contract extension to keep him on the job until June 2021.
Board members voted unanimously and without debate Wednesday in favor of the contract with the superintendent.
“I’d like to thank the board for their support and I look forwad to working with the entire education community to move the Augsuta School Department forward,” Anastasio said after the vote.
In July the board voted, also unanimously, to give Anastasio a 1.5 percent pay raise for this school year, bringing his annual salary from about $118,000 a year to about $120,000 a year.
The new employment agreement approved by board members Wednesday specifies that Anastasio would make just over $120,000 for the 2018-2019 school year, about $122,000 for 2019-2020, and just under $124,000 for 2020-2021.
The average salary for a superintendent in Kennebec County last school year was $114,427, according to data from the Maine School Management Association, a nonprofit federation that represents school boards and superintendents. The low for the area was $94,940, while the high was $142,819.
Statewide, the average salary for a superintendent is $116,405, ranging from as low as $84,048 to as high as $151,900.
The contract terms don’t provide the superintendent with a vehicle, as previous contracts have, but do note he will be reimbursed for travel at rates established by the Internal Revenue Service for travel related to school department responsibilities.
The employment agreement notes Anastasio could be terminated from the job at any point during the term of the contract, without cause.
A former Cony High School principal, Anastasio was named interim superintendent in 2013. A year later, the school board extended his contract through June 2018. In 2015 the “interim” part of his title was removed, after voters, the previous November, voted to remove a City Charter requirement that the superintendent of schools live in Augusta. Anastasio is a Gardiner resident.
Anastasio received a 2.5 percent raise last year, which was approved by board members in a 4-2 vote, with Edward Hastings, a current at-large board member, and Laura Hamilton, a former at-large board member, voting against that 2.5 percent raise.
Board members also voted unanimously to approve their goals for the current school year. Their three goals are:
• Goal 1: In order to promote positive partnerships, the (school board) will improve commnication and outreach between students, parents, school staff and the community stakeholders by June, 2018, as measured by pre- and post-survey data;
• Goal 2: In an effort to successfully support the educational programs and student achievement of the Augusta School Department, the (school board) will review and analyze data that will inform decision making related to board policies and student programming on an ongoing basis and;
• Goal 3: In an effort to provide oversight of the School Department’s financial, facility, and student programming needs, the (school board) will develop effective short and long term plans by June, 2018.
Keith Edwards — 621-5647
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