The Plymouth School Board is expected to vote on an extension of a contract for Superintendent Daniel Tyree at their December meeting.
The Board held a public hearing on November 4 to take comments from community members on the matter.
Since Board President, Todd Samuelsson, was unable to be present at the beginning of the hearing, School Attorney Jeff Houin presided over the hearing.
The contract being considered is actually a one-year extension of Tyree’s present contract. Tyree has served one year of a four -year contract with the Plymouth Corporation.
PEA (Plymouth Education Association) President, Laura Kryer, asked several questions during the hearing. Kryer said, “I have a lot of questions; but not about performance. I think Mr. Tyree does a good job.” Kryer indicated that her questions were intended to clarify the process that is used to negotiate a superintendent contract. Houin said the process follows state statute.
Tyree said the superintendent meets with the Board president to discuss the details of the contract and then the proposed contract is taken to the entire Board.
Prior to the hearing, the Board released a summary of the proposed contract that would be in effective from July 1, 2015 until June 30, 2019 for the extension of the contract with Tyree. According to the release, the compensation will be effective retroactively starting July 1, 2014.
The compensation being considered totals $149,437.
Following is the proposed contract details:
Annual Basic Salary $115,191
Annuity 6,911
VEBA 2,477
Gasoline Allowance 3,500
Annual Board Contribution
To Group Health/ Dental/
Vision Insurance Premium 20,558
Association Memberships 800
The superintendent is evaluated by the Board and rated using the same categories applied to both teachers and other administrators. Salary changes are made on performance.
The Board allows the superintendent 12 sick days, twenty vacation days, as wells as, those other generally recognized as holiday breaks for all staff members in the school calendar.
Kryer said not all teachers received a raise in their current contract and some only received a stipend. The range in raises for those teachers who were given an increase was between 1.2 percent and 2.7 percent. She then asked if there is a top to the amount of increase in administrator’s salaries. Tyree said, “After an administrator has served for 16 years they reach the top. After that, they receive a stipend, not a raise.” He added, “I thought if it was fair for teachers, it was fair for administrators.” “The Board can change that anytime they want.” he said.4
The contract being proposed for the superintendent would increase by some 2 percent.
Tyree first came to the Plymouth Schools as a teacher in 1979. After later serving as the PHS Assistant Principal, he became the Assistant Superintendent in 2004. He was named Superintendent in April of 2008. Therefore, he would not reach the top cap for two more years.
Kryer commented that health insurance contributions have increased by 10 percent. Since the PEA negotiated raises as a part of their salaries as opposed to applying to insurance contribution, they are subject to being taxed.
Tyree confirmed that his negotiated contract does include full family coverage.
Kryer said she wanted to make sure that all school employees were treated equally. After Samuelson arrived at the meeting, he did make a few comments. Samuelson said, “The staff is critical to what we’re trying to accomplish. I do take it very seriously.”
Carol Anders Correspondent
