Ashland City Schools gives administrators raises

ASHLAND — Ashland City Schools board of education gave raises to 15 central office administrators and building principals Tuesday.

The board approved a $7,500 raise for Superintendent Doug Marrah, bringing Marrah’s annual base salary of $157,500. Marrah also receives an annual performance stipend not to exceed 3.33 percent of his base salary ($4,995), plus two $5,000 annual stipends. 

Upon the unanimous approval of the increase, board member Jim Wolfe said he feels feel strongly that Marrah is underpaid.

“The amount of work product you put in in your time here is something that is really hard for most people to understand because you go about your business in your whirling dervish fashion, but you get a lot done in a way I’ve just not seen other people accomplish,” Wolfe said.

Wolfe noted Marrah’s care for students and his knowledge of school finance have proven he was the right person for the job.

“With some fear and trepidation I think the rest of the board went along with it, and I don’t think anybody really regrets it,” Wolfe said, adding his goal is to keep Marrah in the district until the superintendent retires. 

Board member Bryan Lefelhoc said he feels Marrah has had a valuable impact on students and families through the programs he has implemented and the vision and direction set for the district. 

Lefelhoc added that the cost of having a poor superintendent is “100 times the cost of this raise.”

“I do remember as well different experiences with different folks sitting in that chair, and what it costs the district when your job is not done well,” he said.

Board members also approved a $4,000 raise for treasurer Sue Guthrie, bringing her base salary to $84,000. 

Wolfe praised Guthrie as quiet but effective and said he feels she has a noteworthy track record of excellence both in Ashland and in her prior jobs.

Other central office administrators who received raises Tuesday include business manager Robert Knabe (base salary $ 90,500, plus potential incentive $5,200), curriculum director Linda McKibben ($93,000, plus potential incentive $5,200) and special education director Tammy Webb $93,000, plus potential incentive $5,200). 

All principals also received raises, and some had additional paid days added to their contract. Their new compensation is as follows:

• High school principal Mike Riley ($115,000 base salary, plus potential incentive $5,200)
• Middle school principal Matt White ($93,000, incentive $5,200)
• High school assistant director and athletic director Jason Goings ($80,500, incentive $5,200)
• High school assistant principal Josh Packard ($86,500, incentive $5,200)
• High school assistant principal Jon Walter ($85,500, incentive $4,400)
• Middle school assistant principal Steve Paramore ($78,000, incentive $4,400, up to 5 additional days)
• Middle school and Taft assistant principal Tim Keller ($77,500, incentive $4,200, up to 5 additional days)
• Regan principal Nicole Brodie ($78,500, incentive $4,200, up to 5 additional days)
• Edison principal Krist Manley ($83,500 incentive $4,200, up to 5 additional days)
• Taft principal Steve McDonnell ($83,500 incentive $4,200; up to 20 additional days)

Marrah said the percentages of raises were not uniform among the administrators.

“It’s based on performance, what they bring to the district, their value,” Marrah said. “We’ve got to look at some of our younger people. For a couple of people, we’ve got to look at what it would cost to bring somebody in to replace them.” 

In other business, the board approved the purchase of 266 Chromebooks. Marrah said the devices will bring the district’s student-to-device ratio to about 2:1, which he said is the ratio he would like to maintain. The Chromebooks will be purchased from Royal Business Equipment at a cost of $55,504. 

The board entered into an agreement with the city of Ashland in which the district agrees to pay the city $75,000 in exchange for use of the Brookside Park tennis courts for 35 years. The city plans to use the schools’ money, along with private donations and state grant funds, to renovate the courts. 

Board members also approved a policy change that will allow door barricades to be added to classrooms throughout the district. Marrah said business manager Rob Knabe has already ordered samples of door products to try and the district is working with the city fire department to implement the new policy. Board members have has several meetings in executive session in recent months to discuss confidential school security details, and the district makes continuous updates to its school security plans and procedures.