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Pleasant Valley board renews superintendent’s contract in 6–3 vote after public debate
Summary
The Pleasant Valley School District Board voted 6–3 on March 26 to renew Superintendent Dr. Conrad’s contract amid public comment and board questions about community engagement, contract terms and oversight of expenses.
The Pleasant Valley School District Board of Education voted 6–3 on March 26 to approve the election and contract renewal of Superintendent Dr. Conrad after an extended public-comment period and hours of board discussion.
Supporters said continuity and recent fiscal gains weighed in favor of renewal. Citizen speaker Mike Galler presented comparative salary data, saying the county average for superintendents is $239,000 and that the contract being approved—starting at $218,000—would place Dr. Conrad below the county average. The board heard testimony from community members and advisory-committee representatives who urged the board to weigh the costs of executive turnover and the district’s recent financial stabilization.
Opponents and some board members raised concerns about process and oversight. Several directors and public commenters said stakeholders had limited time to review the contract and objected to contract language that allows the business manager to initially approve certain superintendent expenses. Board members pressed for clarity on checks and balances and on how performance benchmarks would be evaluated going forward.
The board discussed Dr. Conrad’s tenure and track record at length, including the district’s recovery from an earlier $6 million deficit and investments in safety and facility upgrades. At roll call the vote recorded: Ryan O’Keefe (Yes), John Kiszitzky (No), Rob Clark (Yes), Sue Kresge (Yes), Denise Hopely (No), Norm Burger (Yes), Diane Surface (Yes), Janet Duner (No), Matthew Walters (Yes). The motion passed 6–3.
The contract approval was taken as a formal board action; the board also approved multiple consent agenda and budget items later in the meeting. Board members said they would continue discussion on oversight language and promised additional transparency on expense reporting at future meetings.
The board did not provide additional public-release details on specific salary schedule steps in the meeting minutes beyond the motion language; the district’s business office and board secretary will include the finalized contract in public records per the board’s normal procedures.
