Board unanimously approves three‑year contract extension for Superintendent Noel Schmidt

The Rock Ridge Public Schools board voted unanimously to adopt a three‑year contract extension for Superintendent Noel Schmidt, the board announced after a motion and second during its regular meeting.

Board member Reardon moved to approve the extension under terms the negotiating team had recommended; Colvardioli seconded the motion. The negotiating team reported that the contract reflects zeros across the board for salary increases over the three‑year term and that a previously included $30,000 retention bonus was removed from the agreement. "It's zeros for all three years," the chair said when summarizing the negotiated terms, and the board recorded the motion as approved by voice vote.

Board members discussed the rationale for the contract language and its potential precedent for other staff negotiations. One member asked whether annual evaluations could be scheduled consistently and the board agreed to use an evaluation tool and set a regular calendar for reviews. Supporters said Schmidt’s concessions show leadership in the district’s current budget environment; members also noted the negotiating team had met with teacher representatives and that follow‑up meetings were scheduled.

The board did not record individual roll‑call votes in the transcript; the chair announced the motion passed unanimously.

The board's action follows a report from the negotiating team that recommended the extension. The superintendent thanked the board afterward and later delivered a superintendent report outlining next steps on the budget and a proposed pre‑meeting work study to consider reductions and alternatives.

Next procedural step: the board set a work study before its next regular meeting to review budget options and implementation details.