The White County Board of Education approved a seven percent salary increase for Director Of Schools Kurt Dronebarger Thursday night.
Board members voted to amend the director’s salary line item from the contractually mandated $117,300 to just over $123,000. That number leaves White County some 20 percent below its peers in director pay. Board member Jason McDonald said this year’s increase is challenging.
“We still have to think about the simple fact that we’re down 1,100 students than where we used to be too,” McDonald said. “So we got to get those students back. When we get those students back, that means we’re going to get more money from the state. And we can’t make it all up in one year. I mean, I agree, and I know we’re below, but with my heart, I just think we’re going to get raked over the coals if we do 12 percent.”
The adjustment represents an additional five percent increase based on performance, above the mandatory two percent raise. Board Chairman Bob Young said the district has a good director.
“We’re also talking about from a district standpoint preparing for the point in time we have to offer this position to somebody else to make sure we get the best candidate,” Young said. “We have a really good director in place now from a candidate standpoint, that would probably could go to any neighboring districts in our area and, and, negotiate at least for market comp.”
The board initially considered a motion to increase the salary to $130,000 before McDonald introduced the amendment for the $123,050 figure. Board member Sherrie Stone said she was concerned about the optics of a large increase compared to teacher raises.
“I think in all good conscience, if we’re only giving the teachers 3.5 percent, if we’re doubling that, I think that’s saying a lot,” Stone said. “But if we can only afford to give them that much, I don’t see it.”
Young said it might make sense to try and get the director’s compensation to $130,000 over a couple of years, or about 10 percent of market.
“I do think as a board we need to make it a point to try to get the position more to market,” Young said. “The talent that we have within the district, you know, we want we want them to stick around and maybe consider for a position when it comes open. And you don’t want it to be, you don’t want the difference for the job to be, you want it to be worthwhile.”
The discussion came following Dronebarger’s annual evaluation. Across five sections, the director scored 3.36 or better out of four.
“I think the results reflect a strong director and a great leader, and I think we’re very blessed to have him,” School Board Member John Smith said.
Finance Director Chad Marcum said the total impact of the approved salary increase on the budget is an additional $6,555 in expenditures. Markham said this figure accounts for the base salary adjustment as well as corresponding increases in Social Security, Medicare, and state retirement contributions.
