MINDEN - After a long and often exhausting search, Douglas County School Board members voted unanimously to approve a contract for superintendent finalist Lisa Noonan, former chief academic officer of Washoe County Schools.
Noonan's $130,000-a-year contract starts July 30 and ends June 30, 2013, and it includes benefits such as medical, dental and vision insurance as well as full payment of contributions into the Nevada Public Employees Retirement System. Trustees also agreed to pay Noonan a one-time lump sum of $10,000 for relocation expenses.
After almost an hour and a half of closed session negotiations with Noonan via telephone, the contract was amended to reflect a Jan.15, 2013, deadline for renewal notification. Compared to former superintendent Carol Lark's contract, which required renewal notification a year before the expiration date,
Noonan's contract gives trustees another six months to make a decision whether or not to extend.
In the event that Noonan is terminated without cause, the contract states that the district will pay her a lump sum equal to nine months of her annual salary.
Despite such safeguards written in the contract, board members were overwhelmingly optimistic about Noonan and the impact she'll have on the school district.
Trustee Sharla Hales said she's excited about the possibilities of a new superintendent "who is extremely well-qualified and, in all respects, looks to be a promising chief officer."
Vice President Tom Moore, who voted against the initial hiring of Noonan but later gave her a vote of support, said he's ready to move forward.
"Lisa can start leading the district in the direction that she and the board feel is in the best interest of the Douglas County School District," he said.
Trustee Cindy Trigg said Wednesday's decision was bittersweet.
"I'm looking forward to putting the past behind us," she said, "and to start doing the work for our kids."