The Octorara Area School Board has offered Superintendent Tom Newcome, its top executive, five years of job security.
The school board Jan. 18 unanimously extended Newcome’s contract through the 2014-15 school year, with annual salary increases.
Newcome, who is currently paid $124,733 to lead the school district, with students in both Lancaster and Chester counties, will receive a 1.7 percent salary increase for 2010-11, to $126,800. He will receive $132,200 during 2012-13, $141,600 during 2013-14, and $146,600 during 2014-15.
Newcome began working for the school district as a middle school principal in 1996. In recent years he has made it one of his priorities to hold regional “town hall” community meetings to address citizen concerns about the school district.
He also founded the Octorara Regional Council, a committee of area municipal, business and school officials which is working with Rep. Tom Houghton’s office to bring business into the school district.
The contract gives Newcome all the fringe benefits in the district’s 2006 administrative plan, his membership fees in professional groups, $7,000 annually toward a Sec. 457 Plan, 25 vacation days, and medical benefits until he retires or becomes disabled, until he is eligible for Medicare.
The superintendent must also provide an annual report to the school board in August if requested by the board by June. 30.