Superintendent takes voluntary cut
Contract signed, includes a voluntary reduction in health care benefits
By Elizaberth Prata Salvetti

Gray-New Gloucester--The MSAD #15 Board of Directors approved Superintendent Michael Wood’s employment contract at their August 7 meeting. The three-year contract, which runs from July 1, 2002 to June 30, 2005, is largely the same as the previous years’ contract-but with a major difference.

The Superintendent has voluntarily given up full health care benefits. Previously, MSAD 15 Administrators at the top levels were offered 100% coverage in their health care. The School District has been in the throes of protracted negotiations with both the Teachers and the Support Staff. Proposed reductions in health care benefits are the main sticking point in both contract negotiations. "The Superintendent was willing to set the example because he likes Gray-New Gloucester," said Board Chair Sarah McCleary. "He understood he couldn’t ask the employees to do something he himself wasn’t willing to do."

The contract specifies that the Superintendent will receive 78% of the premium for any level of coverage. Additionally, there will be a 20% cap in any increase, meaning that if health care premiums increase 25% next year, the Superintendent will receive only 20% of that increase, and pay any difference himself. He also volunteered to decrease his sick days from 20 to 10 per year.

The Superintendent’s salary in 02-03 will be $82,730, 03-04, $85,419, and in 04-05, $89,050.

Wood said, "Personally and professionally feel that the position needs to show leadership from the top down, not only in title but in action. SAD 15 is a good place to be, and I, along with the Board, will model that commitment." Wood was hired in August 1999. With the completion of this upcoming contract, he will have remained with the District six years. "Overall it’s a good contract and continues what I hope to be a long-term tenure," Wood said.