Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Administrators Contracts topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Western Wayne board approves administrators’ contracts amid public criticism; 3‑1 vote
Summary
The Western Wayne Board of School Trustees approved administrator contract renewals for 2024–25 by a 3‑1 vote after a public patron demanded transparency over a missing 3% raise; Board member Brent Fortman opposed, saying he wanted a title change for Chad Lieberman.
CAMBRIDGE CITY, Ind. — The Western Wayne Board of School Trustees voted Aug. 14 to approve administrators’ contract renewals for the 2024–25 school year on a 3‑1 roll call, concluding a meeting that included a public complaint about pay and a board member’s stated reason for dissent.
The motion to approve the administrators’ contracts was made by Phil Pflum and seconded by Sarah Pennington and passed 3‑1, with Brent Fortman opposed. Vice‑President Dave Sturgis presided; board members present were Dave Sturgis, Sarah Pennington, Brent Fortman and Phil Pflum; Alan Austin was absent.
The vote followed public comment from patron Karen Hinkein, who said the agenda item listing administrators’ renewal contracts did not specify whether a proposed 3% raise was included and urged the board to make a public record of who supported any raises. “Publicly it’s disheartening, you give teachers, bus drivers, cafeteria staff and aides more money but can’t give the Administrators a 3% increase…What the Heck?! That’s my rant, it’s disgusting and I want it made public, I want to know who voted for and against raises,” Hinkein said.
Board member Brent Fortman later explained his ‘no’ vote during department comments. Fortman said his opposition was not to renewing the contracts but to the board’s treatment of Chad Lieberman, who had worked on grants for the district. Fortman said he believed Lieberman should receive a formal title change to “Assistant Superintendent of Grants” and an accompanying job description to reflect responsibilities and recognition. Fortman asked the board to meet with building leadership teams to align expectations and avoid ongoing confusion among staff.
Sarah Pennington, who seconded the motion, had earlier told Hinkein that the renewal contracts would be status quo. No amended raise was recorded in the motion paperwork provided at the meeting.
The board’s action came as part of a packed agenda that included approval of policies, new positions funded by the SIG Next Generation grant (positions that end in December 2025), and memoranda of understanding with IU East and Centerstone. The superintendent presented the proposed 2025 budget and the board approved advertising a public hearing to publish the 2025 budget, capital plan and bus replacement plan.
The meeting adjourned at 7:18 p.m.
