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School board approves pay raise for superintendent

The Huntington County Community School Board of Trustees approved a 2.25 percent raise for Superintendent of Schools Tracey Shafer on Monday, Feb. 22.

Shafer’s compensation was approved by a close 4-3 vote. The raise is retroactive to July 2009. Those voting with the majority were Rick Brubaker, vice president, and members Dr. Jennifer Goff, Troy Smart and Tom King. Those voting against the compensation were Kevin Patrick, president; Rex Baxter, secretary; and member Scott Hoffman.

Shafer’s previous base salary was $99,225. With the increase, that is now bumped up to $101,457.56. HCCSC teachers, administrators and classified also staff recently  received a 2.25 percent pay raise.

Before voting, Hoffman said that the timing of the salary increase was not appropriate.
“I’m not saying our people don’t deserve raises, (but) now is not the time,” Hoffman said.

Baxter added that people from his district called him, questioning the proposed compensation.

“I received a couple of calls and they wanted to ask me how we could give a raise and then turn right around and ask for $2 million to pay salaries. To be honest with you, I told them I didn’t know. And I didn’t (know),” Baxter told the board.

Assistant Superintendent for Business Dave McKee said after the meeting that Shafer has no incremental raises built into his contract and he has not received a raise in two years.

Also following the meeting, Patrick said that the process occurs at an annual basis; after evaluations are turned in, the employees are considered for pay raises or pay cuts. He says the process started with classified employees, teachers, administrators and ends up with the superintendent.

Patrick says he voted against the raise because “it’s not good business sense” when the board will have to make “permanent and painful” cuts in some areas in the future.

“I do feel for the local economy,” he adds, explaining he feels the cuts need to start at the top. That’s why he says he is going to formally propose a 10 percent pay cut for each board member at the March 8 board meeting to show Huntington the board is not above the cuts and that the members will lead through the process and take cuts first.
He also says he will not solicit support from members for the item.

“I believe the board has the same interests in mind … I feel comfortable my motion will pass.”