RCS approves 35 administrator contracts

Richmond Community Schools’ board approved current administrators’ contracts, heard from Richmond Art Museum supporters, and tabled some policy updates at its Aug. 13 meeting.

Administration

Board members initially tabled but then approved administrators’ contracts near the meeting’s end after getting questions answered.

The approvals typically occur after July 1 each year. At a recent meeting, the board had agreed to enter into two-year contracts to promote more employee stability.

Board members received assurance that RCS’ administrator contracts would be for the same pay as last year.

Any raises for administrators would be determined after collective bargaining with teachers, which starts soon. The last collective bargaining took place two years ago.

The board took into account Richmond Education Association President Jay Lee’s recommendation during the meeting’s public comment portion.

Lee said the district will have a small pot of money available for potential raises, so he recommended tabling any administrator salary increases until collective bargaining occurs. RCS expects a 1.6% funding increase, followed by 0.2% the next year.

The vote was 6-0; member John Weber was absent. Member Michael Elorreaga is married to Jenny Elorreaga, director of Head Start and early learning.

Certified administrators (who have teaching licenses) and their current pay are:

• Richmond Area Career Center Director Josh Amyx, $100,132.56;
• Richmond High School Assistant Principal Joseph Anderson, $84.307.50;
• RHS Assistant Principal Stephanie Baker, $84,230.79;
• Test Intermediate School Principal Laura Ricca Brazil, $105,071.59;
• Dennis Middle School Principal Crystal Cooper, $105,071.59;
• Test Intermediate School Assistant Principal Christopher DeHart, $79,487;
• Director of Head Start and Early Learning Jenny Elorreaga, $105,493.59 plus $3,924.25 auto allowance;
• Richmond High School Principal Rae Ferriell-Woolpy, $119,072.52 plus $4,200 auto;
• Charles Elementary School Principal Ashley Garard, $85,000;
• Crestdale Elementary School Principal Rebecca Harrell, $87,242.17;
• Hibberd Program Building Principal Steven Hensley, $88,575.59;
• Community Youth Services Principal Sheila Hobbs, $103,515.04;
• Starr Elementary School Principal Stephanie Hoober, $91,809.64;
• Director of Operations Steven Jones, $112,875 plus $4,200 auto;
• Co-Director of Exceptional Education Cassandra Laudermilk, $90,000;
• Dennis Intermediate School Assistant Principal Melissa Lawson, $86,763.50;
• Westview Elementary School Principal Traci Lovett, $85,000;
• Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Education and Executive Director of Head Start and Early Learning Elizabeth Markward, $120,000 plus $4,200 auto;
• Director of Human Resources Stacy Mopps, $112,875 plus $4,200 auto;
• Test Intermediate School Assistant Principal Trenton Pipes, $79,487;
• Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education Samuel Pritchard, $120,000 plus $4,200 auto;
• Fairview Elementary Principal Jennifer Service, $88,896.05;
• RHS Assistant Principal John Smith, $85,837.50;
• Vaile Elementary School Principal Nicole Vandervort, $94,658.13;
• Co-Director of Exceptional Education Carrie Wolfe, $90,000;
• Dennis Middle School Assistant Principal William Woodruff, $76,837.53;
• Superintendent Curtis Wright, $185,657.50 plus $6,000 auto;
• Middle School Athletic Director William Wright, $109,116

Classified administrators

• Attendance Liaison Vasquero “Vagas” Ferguson, $73,768.17;
• Director of Technology Alexander Hazelbaker, $100,132.56;
• Director of Student Support and Communications Bridget Hazelbaker, $72,300.80;
• Athletic Director Robert E. Lee III, $108,000 plus $4,200 auto;
• Assistant Superintendent of Business and Finance Karen Scalf, $131,250 plus $4,200 auto;
• Director of Finance Melissa Swafford, $100,132.56;
• Director of Facilities Bradley Walton, $100,132.56

Art museum

Eight Richmond Art Museum staff, board members and supporters also addressed the board, discussing the mutual benefits of their partnership. Students have access to the professional art museum inside Richmond High School, and they’re at the core of RAM’s strategic plan.

RCS is preparing to add a secure entrance at RHS near the museum. Design concepts have been developed, but no final decisions have been made.

Some speakers also asked RCS leaders to keep RAM’s board and RCS art teachers in the loop regarding potential changes to internal traffic flow between Richmond High School and the museum, and any proposed changes to art classrooms.

In other business

Policies were approved after second readings on topics including mandatory curriculum, audio/video/digital recording of meetings, student privacy and parental access to information, recording of individual education plan team meetings/case conferences, student assessments, and supplemental payments for teachers.

RCS’ policy review committee will take another look at two policies on artificial intelligence and instruction on reproductive health, family planning and human sexuality before bringing them back to the board for a third reading.

Teacher T. Washington, who attended a national research symposium on AI, said she showed RCS’ proposed policy to experts who agreed it was too vague and didn’t go far enough. Washington said the board should hear from teachers, parents and students most affected by it before approval.

The board also conducted an executive session after the meeting, citing Indiana code that allows the board to consider information containing research before any related final action or decision-making.

Tuition for out-of-state students was approved ($8,277.40, or $45.99/day). International students’ tuition is $10,000, or $55.56/day.