KNOX COUNTY, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — The South Knox School Corporation is another step closer to finalizing its new superintendent.
A week ago, WTWO learned the corporation had been evaluating a number of finalists for the potential position. At the time the Indiana School Board Association had said the timeline to name a new superintendent would be mid-June.
Since that time, the South Knox Board of School Trustees has announced they will hold a hearing to hear the public’s objections and support of a proposed contract for the new superintendent.
The name of that proposed candidate is 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 girls varsity coach.
“He brings with him a wealth of knowledge, high morals, and strong education background,” South Knox School Board President Eric Carter said. “We are looking forward to working with Mr. Cochren for the betterment of our school and students.”
The public hearing will be held on June 13 at 6 p.m. at the South Knox Middle-High School Cafeteria.
The board released the following summary of the proposed contract terms;
- Contract Term: July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2026
- Base Salary: $112,000 in the first contract year, with performance base salary increases and one-time stipends available beginning in the second year of the contract that are consistent with the base salary raises and stipends granted to teachers employed by the district.
- Health, dental and vision insurance benefits: Provided under the same terms and conditions as are provided to the teachers employed by the district. The approximate current annual cost is estimated to be $22,000.
- HSA: $3,000 deposited by the School Corporation each contract year.
- Employee share of INPRS contribution: Paid by the School Corporation. Current cost is 3% of base salary, which is $3,360 in the first contract year.
- 401(a) annuity: 3% of base salary is contributed by the Board each contract year. Current cost is $3,360 in the first contract year.
- VEBA – 5% of base salary is contributed by the Board each contract year. Current cost: $5,600 in the first contract year.
- Cell phone: Provided by the School Corporation. Current approximate annual cost is $1,200.
- Work Days: 260
- Retirement VEBA severance: Same as the benefit offered to teachers under Article VIII, Paragraph d of the master teacher. $3,000 maximum possible benefit at retirement if all criteria applicable to teachers are met by the Superintendent.
- Transfer of sick leave days from current school employer: Permitted to transfer all unused sick leave days with current employer. All transferred days will go into a catastrophic sick leave bank and will have no cash value upon separation of employment.
- Long term disability: 100% of premium (minus $1.00) paid by School Corporation.
- Term life insurance policy with $120,000 face value: 100% of premium (minus $1.00) paid by School Corporation.
- Sick leave days: 15 days each contract year (max accumulation at 260 days).
- Family illness leave day: 3 days each contract year.
- Bereavement leave days: Same as the teachers employed by the district.
- Personal leave days: 3 days each contract year (may accumulate up to maximum of 6 days).
- Vacation: 15 days each contract year.
- Holidays – Same paid holidays each contract year as are provided to other full-time employees who receive paid holidays.
- Business and professional expenses: School Corporation reimburses for reasonable expenses for conferences, professional meetings and dues for professional organizations that are Board approved.
- Termination – Contract termination is governed by Indiana law.
The board added that the complete contract will be available on their website and presented at the June 13 hearing.
Following the hearing the board will vote on the proposed contract at it’s regular public meeting on June 20 at 7 p.m. which will also be held in the school cafeteria.
