School chief offered three-year contract

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook School Board retained Superintendent Grant Norgaard with one member voting against it.

At the regular school board meeting Monday night, McCook School Board member Shane Messersmith was the lone opposing vote on the board that approved the three-year, 2 percent package increase for Norgaard. After the vote, Messersmith stated, "I have a hard time with the three years. There are issues in our school district that need to be taken care of sooner rather than later."

Messersmith later elaborated on his statement and told the Gazette, "The board passes policies that the administration at the high school pays no attention to." He declined to name specific policies.

With the increase, Norgaard's base salary will go to from $137,000 to $139,651. His compensation package will also includes health insurance at $15,876.

Norgaard's pay is similar to other superintendent's salaries in the state, with $146,000 in Alliance, $156,000 in Ralston and $152,000 in Gering, according to a salary study for administrative personnel compiled by Kearney's director of finance.

In other action, the board unanimously approved the sale of school district property on West Q, where the district houses the school buses, for $130,000.

Proceeds from the sale will go toward funding improvements at the armory building that the school district owns.

The name of the purchaser was not released, as the sale has not been closed yet.

The board also approved appointing the superintendent to sign for federal and state grants and funds and the 2012-13 student handbook for McCook Elementary and Central Elementary.

Changes in the handbook were minimal and included changes in spelling and grammar, as well as adding the school district's mission statement and contact information for board member Teresa Thomas.

Superintendent Norgaard told board members that additional changes can be e-mailed to him, that he will forward to McCook Elementary principal Tim Garcia.

Also at Monday's meeting, Norgaard told the board during board and administrative comments that the roof replacement at the armory is almost completed. He added that there was some leaking Sunday due to the rain, which may have damaged carpet in a classroom.

If there is damage, the insurance company of the roofing company will take care of it, he said.

McCook Public Schools business manager Rick Haney updated the board on the budget for next year.

The majority of the budget for next year has been calculated, he said, and will be presented to the school board finance committee in August for review.

Board members on the finance committee are Tom Bredvick, Larry Shields and Sandy Krysl.

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