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Resident criticizes proposed superintendent contract increases and allowances
Summary
During public comment at the June 22, 2026 meeting, Mr. Johnson objected to an apparent jump in the superintendent's proposed pay (from about $175,000 to $210,000 or $220,000 with a residency incentive), questioned a $600 monthly vehicle stipend and vague expense language, and urged clearer, business‑only reimbursements.
A resident, Mr. Johnson, used his three minutes of public comment at the Valparaiso Community Schools board meeting on June 22 to criticize the district's posted superintendent contract, urging the board to tighten language on pay and perks and to avoid generous allowances without clearer justification.
Mr. Johnson said the posted information suggested the superintendent's salary would increase from roughly $175,000 to $210,000 and could reach $220,000 if a $10,000 residency incentive applied. He also raised concerns about a $600‑per‑month vehicle allotment and broadly worded reimbursement language that he said could cover "personal" as well as business travel. "When you start with this contract at $210,000... what value have they brought yet to BCS," Mr. Johnson said, urging the district to let a candidate demonstrate value before awarding such compensation.
Board members and staff responded by clarifying contract history: the superintendent's 2020 starting salary was about $170,000 and increases have been tied to teacher percentage increases and performance reviews; the speaker said the current compensation is "just under $200,000." Board members stressed that the district followed Indiana law when advertising the contract and that residency incentives are used to encourage living in the community rather than as a requirement.
The board did not take a vote on the superintendent contract at the meeting. The chair closed the public comment period after Mr. Johnson's remarks and moved on to other business, including the cell‑phone policy that the board approved that night.
The district did not provide a legal or administrative breakdown of the posted contract's final terms during the meeting; officials said the advertised contract and supporting materials would remain available on the district website for public review.
