Excitement buzzed in the room before, during and after a brief special meeting on Monday, July 21, as the Western Wayne Schools board announced their choice for the district’s next superintendent and approved the related employment contract.
Kelly Plank will serve as the district’s top leader, taking over as superintendent from interim Alice Johnson.
Plank has been the director of curriculum and instruction at Northeastern Wayne Schools since 2024, and before that was the principal of Northeastern Middle School beginning in 2020.
Plank also served as the principal of Fairview Elementary School in Richmond from 2018-2020, and worked in teaching and leadership positions at various other schools in the region, according to a LinkedIn profile.
In a statement, the board said, “with an impressive track record of leadership, innovation, and dedication to student success, Plank brings extensive experience and a strong commitment to student success, innovation, and community collaboration.”
Board member Kris Bex said during the meeting that the board is excited about the selection and is ready to get Plank oriented to “help her help us.”
“I am honored to join Western Wayne Schools and look forward to working with dedicated staff, families, and community members to build on existing programs to create new opportunities to soar,” Plank said in the statement.
The board’s announcement was followed by a reception open to the community and school employees. View a recording of the meeting at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5dm7Rm_tDk.
Public quiet about WWS leader’s contract
No residents spoke during WWS’ earlier public hearing on its incoming superintendent’s contract.
Comments on the salary, benefits and duration of the contract were welcome during a special meeting on Thursday, July 17.
Although three residents attended, no one spoke.
After the July 17 meeting, Kris Bex, board president, said board members were looking forward to Monday’s announcement.
“We’re continuing to be on the same page and in the same boat, rowing in the same direction,” Bex said. “The community, faculty, staff, students — everyone is looking forward to starting a great year.”
Compensation at a glance
The incoming superintendent’s contract totals $163,515.97, which includes a $115,000 base salary.
Benefits include $23,526.31 for health, vision, dental, life and disability insurances and $144.66 for workers’ compensation. Plank will receive annual allowances of $6,000 for a vehicle and $1,020 for a cell phone. Contributions toward the state teacher retirement fund and an annuity are $17,825.
The contract nearly mirrors the contract signed by previous superintendent Andy Stover when he took the job in 2022. The salary, phone and vehicle allowances and annuity contributions are identical.
The new contract is $3,293 less than Stover’s initial contract because of lower insurance contributions.
Updated Monday, July 21 at 6:40 p.m. to add additional information from a WWS statement.
A version of this article will appear in the July 23 2025 print edition of the Western Wayne News.