Superintendent Klein to Serve Five More Years

Update: This story was updated Friday afternoon to include a statement Superintendent Mark Klein released on his contract extension.

The Council Rock School Board on Thursday unanimously approved extending Superintendent Mark Klein’s contract through June 2017.

Under the terms of the contract, Klein will be paid $196,000 per year for his role as superintendent. His salary will be revisited at the mid-point of the contract in 2015, “or sooner at the discretion of the board," the contract states.

If Klein decides to leave the district, the contract states he must give the board a minimum of 150 days notice.

Klein has served as Council Rock’s superintendent since 2004.

Board member Jerold Grupp said he’s “thrilled” to have Klein on board for five more years. Grupp also acknowledged comments from two residents who expressed frustration that the contract was only announced to the public a day before.  “There are constraints in the school code about when things have to happen,” Grupp said.

Board president Kyle McKessy addressed the issue as well. “Probably more time would have been better. Duly noted, point taken, lessons learned,” she said.

Several board members praised Klein and expressed gratitude that he will continue to serve.

“I firmly believe this is an excellent choice. We’re fortunate to have Mr. Klein leading this district,” said board member Paul Anagnostakos.

Klein said he was “flattered” by the board’s comments.

“I’m very appreciative of the honor you’ve placed in me to be the superintendent of schools for five more years,” he said. “It will be a privilege for me to work for Council Rock for the remaining term of this contract.” 

On Friday afternoon, Klein released the following statement:

"I am most thankful that the Board of School Directors would agree to an extension of my contract.  I began my career in Council Rock 34 years ago.  This is the only district that I have served in my career and it is where I would choose to complete my career.  Not many people have the chance to begin and end their career in one place – and to begin and end it in a place like Council Rock is an amazing privilege and honor.

During the negotiations that occurred in preparation for the execution of this agreement, the board and I agreed that I would not accept a change in salary until both the agreement with the Council Rock Education Association and the Council Rock Education Support Personnel Association are completed and executed.  It seems disingenuous to accept any salary increment while one or both associations are still bargaining for their successor agreement.

Thank you, once again, for your confidence in me and for the honor to continue to serve the great students, staff and community in Council Rock."