Northeastern Wayne Schools is accepting public comment about a proposed contract for its superintendent candidate.
Residents can offer objections or support the contract at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 10, in the Student Services Building, 7299 N. U.S. 27, Fountain City.
They can also email thoughts to Shawntel Baker, board president, at sbaker@nws.k12.in.us before Sept. 10.
The Knights are hiring a new superintendent because Matthew Hicks, NWS’ previous leader, left to oversee Munster, Indiana, schools beginning Aug. 1.
NWS Assistant Superintendent Jennifer O’Brien is serving as the district’s interim leader. She received board members’ thanks at their Aug. 20 meeting for her efforts in getting the school year started.
NWS’ new superintendent would earn a base salary of $130,000. Other board contributions would provide insurance worth $27,816 (health), vision ($250.20), dental ($1,201.80), disability ($581.10), and term life ($156).
NWS also would contribute $6,500 toward the superintendent’s annuity and $12,350 for the Indiana State Teacher Retirement Fund.
The total for the new leader’s salary and benefits listed above would be $178,855.10.
Hicks’ contract for 2024-25 showed a $145,306 salary, family medical insurance, annuity and teacher retirement fund contributions. It also included use of a corporation vehicle for business travel and reasonable personal travel that’s adjacent to business travel, costs for state/national professional association and community organization memberships and conferences, including one national conference, a cellphone and plan, and technology equipment.
Similar to teachers who earn annual Teacher Appreciation Grants if they’re rated highly effective or effective, Hicks was eligible to receive a yearly stipend if the board rated him highly effective or effective.
The contract noted Hicks also received a one-time stipend of $20,000 for performing the role of two positions when the district didn’t employ an assistant superintendent. The stipend was paid during the first payroll following July 1, 2024, contract year.
If he would have stayed at NWS, Hicks’ pay would have increased to $148,212 for each contract year between July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2028. His annual salary was $136,800 from July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2024.
Hicks’ predecessor at Munster received a base salary of $215,000 plus a $21,500 annuity contribution and additional benefits.
Collective bargaining
Taxpayers also are invited to share their thoughts about NWS’ collective bargaining with teachers during a public hearing at 6:40 p.m. Sept. 10.
The hearing is required before bargaining can begin pursuant to Indiana Code 20-29-6-1(a).
It will take place in the Student Services Building.
The board will also consider and take action on an item requiring its approval during the meeting.
A version of this article will appear in the September 3 2025 print edition of the Western Wayne News.