Springfield School Board re‑authorizes Superintendent Anthony Barber under new multi‑year agreement

The Springfield School District board voted unanimously Sept. 28 to terminate Superintendent Anthony Barber’s existing employment agreement effective Sept. 28, 2023, and approve a new 57‑month contract with an effective date of Sept. 29, 2023, and an annual base salary of $236,968.08.

President Lord told the board the move is largely administrative: the district is “terminating his existing contract and giving him a new contract” so the superintendent’s term will not lapse amid several anticipated retirements. “Literally the only change is the dates of the contract,” President Lord said during discussion.

Board members praised Barber’s leadership in recent personnel transitions. Director Laughlin said she could “honestly say I can call you a friend,” thanked Barber for his work and said she looks forward to having him “for another 57 months.” Several other directors expressed thanks for Barber and his team’s handling of retirements and hiring.

After brief remarks the board moved to vote. The motion to approve the termination and new employment agreement carried 8–0.

The new contract, as read into the record, covers a term of 57 months with the stated annual base salary of $236,968.08 and directs the board president to execute the agreement subject to solicitor review of final language. The board did not discuss other terms of employment in public during the meeting.

What happens next: the board president will execute the agreement after the solicitor reviews the final contract language. The board did not schedule any subsequent public deliberation on the contract at the meeting.