Details of superintendent's contract

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - A greatly relieved Dr. Pamela Brown learned late Wednesday afternoon a court challenge to her appointment as Buffalo's next superintendent had failed, clearing the way for her new contract to be signed.

Dr. Brown's $217,500 contract, the second and third years to be negotiated, includes potential bonuses up to $15,000 a year, if board members believes she is reaching set goals. What might those goals be?

School Board President Mary Ruth Kapsiak explained, "Student attendance, for instance. The suspension rate. These are two things that we are looking at closely."

Dr. Brown's priority is making sure Buffalo classrooms keep up with the state's tougher standards.

"So that we are moving forward and addressing the new common core state standards that are really increasing the rigor," she said.

To those looking in from the private sector, the sick leave negotiated into Dr. Brown's contract might seem quite generous. She receives 40 days of sick leave the first year, and an additional 14 days a year thereafter. She can accrue 150 sick days total. But she doesn't get a benefit that many in the private sector enjoy.

Kapsiak noted, "She has no disability insurance, so most people in contracts will insist on having disability insurance."

The superintendent will have a car available during working hours and for school events, but not for her personal use.

Under termination clauses there is a no fault stipulation that allows her to leave with 12 months pay. And if she is terminated for cause, it requires a full due-process hearing before the board.

"It's in line with what's going on in other districts, and we don't expect that to happen at all," Kapsiak noted. 

Below are more details on her three-year contract:

DR. PAMELA BROWN'S THREE YEAR CONTRACT

SALARY

$217,500

(YEARS 2 AND 3 TO BE NEGOTIATED)

PERFORMANCE COMPENSATION

ADDITIONAL $7,500 TO $15,000

(DEPENDING ON EVALUATION BY BOARD MEMBERS)

HEALTH INSURANCE

80 % PAID BY DISTRICT

LIFE INSURANCE

100% PAID BY DISTRICT

($50,000 POLICY)

VACATION

20 DAYS PLUS DISTRICT APPROVED HOLIDAYS

SICK LEAVE

40 DAYS

ADDITIONAL 14 DAYS A YEAR

(CAN ACCRUE 150 SICK DAYS TOTAL)

(IN LIEU OF DISABILITY INSURNACE)

(NO SICK LEAVE BUYBACK PROVISION)

DISABILITY INSURANCE

NONE

PERSONAL LEAVE

4 DAYS

FAMILY ILLNESS LEAVE

10 DAYS

(INCLUDES SPOUSE AND CHILREN)

RETIREMENT BENEFITS

(DISTRICT CONTRIBUTES $5,000 FOR TAX SHELTERED ANNUITY PLAN---

AND CONSISTANT WITH WHAT DISTRICT WOULD PAY STATE RETIREMENT SYSTEM)

REIMBURSEMENT CLAUSES

DISTRICT PAYS OUT OF POCKET DUES FOR PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS--SUBJECT TO REVIEW

TRANSPORTATION

CAR AVAILABLE DURING WORKING HOURS NOT FOR PERSONAL USE

ROLLOVER CLAUSE

CONTRACT IS AUTOMATICALLY EXTENDED BY ONE YEAR IF BOARD TAKES NO OTHER ACTION

TERMINATION

DISABILITY

RESIGNATION

PARTIES AGREE TO TERMINATE

UNDER NO FAULT TERMINATION CLAUSE

(ALLOWS SUPERINTENDENT TO LEAVE WITH 12 MONTHS PAY)

TERMINATION FOR CAUSE

(REQUIRES A FULL DUE PROCESS HEARING BEFORE THE BOARD)

DOMICILE

(MUST MOVE INTO THE CITY BY SEPTEMBER FIRST)