Inskeep said he has a number of priorities in mind to make Kettering “a destination school district.”
LAST WEEK: Superintendent says he hopes to stay in Kettering
The new contract pays him $160,000 in base salary — behind only Dayton superintendent Elizabeth Lolli and Beavercreek’s Paul Otten locally — and includes raises of at least 3.5 percent per year.
“They said they appreciated my openness, my leadership style, my involvement and presence in the community,” Inskeep said of Kettering’s school board. “They appreciate the empowering of people to do their jobs, and trusting people to do their jobs, while also evaluating and monitoring what matters.”
With a five-year contract in hand and a districtwide strategic plan being implemented, Inskeep listed several goals – “to continue to upgrade our facilities to make them state of the art for our families and our community, to get all-day kindergarten into this district, and to ensure safe and secure buildings.”
LAST MONTH: Inskeep among finalists for Columbus schools post
Inskeep also mentioned improving career tech offerings and expanding high-level Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate coursework.
“Most important is to continue to improve student achievement,” he said.
On the 2016-17 state report card, Kettering’s test performance improved, and the district outperformed what the state considers “similar districts.” The 2017-18 report card will be released next week.
THIS SUMMER: Kettering schools rolls out strategic plan for district
School board President Jennifer Kane said the report card is just one of several factors the board uses to measure the district’s success.
“The board unanimously feels that Scott has done an excellent job in the district, and we believe it is important to keep consistency throughout the years here, and this contract does that for us,” Kane said.
Inskeep was hired as Kettering’s superintendent in 2014 after guiding the small Reading district near Cincinnati for 12 years. He took over after turmoil forced out previous superintendent Jim Schoenlein and treasurer Steve Clark.
LAST YEAR: A closer look at Kettering schools’ state report card
Inskeep’s most recent contract was to run from summer 2017 through summer 2020 before this week’s extension. His salary started at $147,507 last school year, and the deal called for raises of at least 2 percent each year, meaning he was set to make at least $150,000 this year before the raise Tuesday.
Like most local school districts, Kettering will continue to cover Inskeep’s portion of the state retirement contribution. They will increase his annuity payment slightly to $5,500 per year and continue other fringe benefits.
RELATED: Kettering schools put levy on November 2018 ballot
“There was a compensation increase simply because the board looked at the comparable (superintendents) throughout Montgomery County and wanted to keep me at what was fair, and I appreciate that,” Inskeep said. “The level of compensation, I’m humbled by it, I’m appreciative of it, and we’ll honor them by doing the work.”
Kettering voters approved the only tax levy brought forward under Inskeep, a major facilities levy in spring 2016. The district is seeking a 5.99-mill operating levy this November.
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