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School board approves athletic director pay adjustment to take effect July 1 after tense debate
Summary
The North Central Parke Community School Corporation board approved a pay adjustment for the athletic director, voting to make the change prospective (effective July 1) rather than retroactive after members and community speakers debated equity and process.
The North Central Parke Community School Corporation board voted to adopt the superintendent's recommendation on athletic director compensation but set the change to take effect July 1 instead of applying it retroactively.
The decision came after a board member (S6) moved to bring the previously tabled item back to the floor and then proposed amending the recommendation so the raise would be "going forward" rather than retroactive. Chair opened discussion by reading salary figures from the proposal: $70,561 for a 217-day contract; the coaching stipend is set in the master contract and was described as about $7,000.
The proposal drew strong reaction from teachers and community members. A longtime teacher (S3) who said she has worked 40 years in education told the board she found the size and timing of the raise "very offensive" and called it "a slap in my face," arguing that certified staff who have invested in degrees and years of service are being overlooked. Another commenter (S9) said the athletic director had been underpaid compared with peers and argued the proposal aimed to correct that disparity.
Board members exchanged competing views. One member (S4) said the board was placed in a difficult position and questioned approving "a $15,000 raise to a noncertified staff member" without additional responsibilities, while another member (S7) said the athletic director "deserves his raise" and emphasized retention and competitiveness. Staff (S2) referenced the packet recommendation on page 4 as the basis for discussion.
After debate, Board member S6 moved to adopt the superintendent's recommendation with an effective date of July 1; the motion was seconded and the chair called the vote. The motion carried.
The board did not apply the pay change retroactively. The vote count was announced as the motion passing; the transcript records earlier votes to take items from the table as 5 in favor and 2 opposed but does not tie names to each vote for the final adoption. The board scheduled its next meeting for May 1 at Rockville Elementary and adjourned.
The transcript contains two spellings for the superintendent referenced in discussion ("doctor Shambhut" and later "Dr. Shemp"); the record does not clarify a single authoritative spelling. The board did not discuss or record a precise implementation timeline beyond the July 1 effective date.
