The Knox School Board has finalized a contract extension and pay raise for Superintendent Dr. William Reichhart.
The contract approved Monday extends Reichhart’s employment through July of 2022 and gives him a $2,000 pay raise, boosting his annual base salary to $110,000. Since taking over as superintendent two years ago, Reichhart has overseen the reassignment of the school corporation’s administrators, established an alternative high school, and helped secure financing for a $20 million building project set to begin in 2020.
School Board President Kirk Bennett said the board is happy to extend the superintendent’s contract. “I think we’re all pleased, and it’s nice to know you’re going to be around here for a while to get us through all the thing,” Bennett said. “And I complement you on your adapting and helping us change and make things better, so thank you very much.”
Board Member Gary Dulin added that the board has gotten a lot of positive feedback from administrators, teachers, parents, and students. He also spoke about the importance of keeping Reichhart in place to see the school corporation through the building project.
Reichhart later took some time to thank the board members for extending his contract. “I’ve really appreciated my time here, and I think it’s really been good,” he commented. “We’ve made a lot of positive changes.”
In addition to the base salary, Reichhart’s contract includes a number of benefits. The board’s cost of health, vision, and dental insurance is going up to almost $25,000, although that number will depend on renewal rates in future years. The board will continue to contribute almost $19,000 to a tax sheltered annuity. Reichhart will still get 20 paid vacation days, 11 paid holidays, and 13 days for personal illness and personal leave each year.
