Superintendent signs six-year deal
By Caitlyn Kelleher

"I think after three years we've developed an understanding about what I can bring to the district." - MICHAEL ZAPANTIS, ASH-WEST SUPERINTENDENT

School committee members are so pleased with the commitment that the current superintendent has given, that they offered, and he accepted, an extended long-term contract.

"It is a six-year contract and it reflects our desire to keep him in the district for the time to come," said Committee Chairman David Christianson, of Michael Zapantis. "We had a re-opener built into his contract for the fall of 2006."

"The six-years represent the maximum allowed by the state law," he continued. "We would like him to retire from the district."

The re-opener was part of the original three-year contract Zapantis signed in the fall of 2003 after assuming the position of superintendent.

"We were very cautious in negotiating the original contract," Christianson said. "We wanted someone to come in and prove himself before getting an executive level contract."

The major financial change to the contract is that the performance-based raises the school committee can grant will be added to Zapantis' base salary.

"I think the first contract we signed was one where we had to learn about each other," Zapantis said. "I think after three years we've developed an understanding about what I can bring to the district."

Under the original contract, the performance reviews would be given to Zapantis as a bonus as opposed to part of his continuing salary.

The performance reviews the school committee completes each spring on Zapantis will determine the increase he will receive. According to the contract, the superintendent can earn up to a 3 percent raise for 2006 - which Christianson said he received - in 2007 he could receive up to a 4 percent increase and from 2008 through the end of the contract Zapantis can earn up to a 5 percent increase.

Zapantis's base salary is $121,771.

"I know it sounds like a lot," Christianson said.

But, he added that the salary was comparable to other similarly sized and located school districts. Christianson also added that Zapantis is managing an approximately $26 million budget, $64 million in capital assets and a staff of more than 300 people.

"We thought the contract reflects what the market effects," Christianson said. "We have a good school system and we need good leadership."

Zapantis will still receive a cost of living adjustment to his salary, which will continue to be based on federal and state formulas, Christianson said. This adjustment will also continue to be added to Zapantis' base salary but cannot be more than 3.25 percent.

Zapantis said he is satisfied with the contract. He called it fair and comparable to other superintendents.

"We certainly started to make some changes that have started to impact the students, the schools and the community in a positive way," he said. "It is important for me to see them through." Zapantis and Christianson are pleased to

give the district a sense of continuity. The district has bee through four superintendents and interim superintendents over the last decade.

"We've been able to bring confidence and trust to elected officials, appointed officials, parents and students," Zapantis said.

Christianson and Zapantis said the other changes to the contract were shifts in benefit coverage, travel expenses and other similar issues.

"There is still lots to do," Zapantis said. "We might be a good school system. We can always be better. It's about the kids."

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Caitlyn Kelleher can be reached at (978) 827-3386, ext. 15, or e-mail: caitlynkelleher@ aol.com