*Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to reflect that Michael Edwards is a member of the South Knox School Board.
KNOX COUNTY, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — South Knox School officials are one step closer to finalizing their hire of a new superintendent.
According to South Knox School Corporation Board Member Michael Edwards, about 25 people were in attendance at Tuesday’s hearing to learn more about the proposed contract. While no action was taken on the contract, members of the public were able to ask questions of board members.
It was announced in late May, that the board intended to hire Jeff Cochren. Cochren was raised in southern Indiana and has worked in education since 2005. He has over a decade of experience as a principal at Heritage Hills and has worked as an athletic director and girl’s varsity coach.
Edwards said during the hearing he pointed out that the total cost of the contract would be cheaper when compared to the outgoing superintendent’s deal.
“The total value of the outgoing superintendent’s contract was $177,000, and that each year for the last several years the superintendent has received a 5,000 to 6,000 pay increase,” Edwards said. “So we would have paid the outgoing superintendent at least $182,000 for next school year, and the total value of the new superintendent’s contract is more than $30,000 per year less.”
The full proposed contract has been published on the school corporation’s website, and can be read in full below;
The next step in the hiring process will be June 20, when the board will meet to vote on the contract.
Additionally, during the board meeting following the hearing, the school board approved the resignation of elementary school principal Scott Staggs and approved the hiring of new principal Jeff Rode.
