A local school corporation will soon be looking for a new superintendent. The Knox Community School Board voted unanimously during a brief special session meeting last night to negotiate a buyout of A.J. Gappa’s contract. No reason was given for the decision, and Gappa declined to comment, citing negotiations between his attorney and the board’s legal counsel.
Members acknowledged they do not have a financial agreement in place at this time. Board President Gary Dulin merely said it’s time for the board “to move in a different direction.”
They also authorized their attorney to find an interim superintendent who can be hired without additional board action and to begin the search for a full-time superintendent.
Board members provided Gappa notice in June of 2015 of their intent not to renew his contract but said at the time they were not considering a buyout. That contract runs out on June 30, 2018. He’s served as superintendent since February of 2009.
Gappa earns a base salary of $101,467 annually with an additional $49,703 in benefits, according to information from the school corporation’s website.
North Judson-San Pierre Superintendent Dr. Annette Zupin’s base salary is $99,700 this year and will go up to $102,000 each of the next two years. She also receives a generous benefit package.
Oregon-Davis Superintendent Dr. Don Harman was also hired last summer. His three-year contract includes an annual base salary of $95,000, along with health, dental, vision, long-term disability and term life insurance.
The Culver Community School Corporation is set to hire a new superintendent next month for a base salary of $105,000 annually plus benefits.
