Board considers extended supervisors pact

WESTFALL — No vote was taken but Delaware Valley school board members reached a likely consensus March 6 on a three-year extension of the current administrative supervisors’ $2.1 million contract. Agreement was based on the supervisors’ concurring with Superintendent Dr. Candis Finan’s plan to consolidate the duties of up to four departing senior staff members within the remaining group. Finan projected $238,390 in savings the next budget. Board member John Wladar said the 22 supervisors were “paying” for the “well deserved” contract benefits with additional duties. Only budget committee Chair Ed Silverstone objected. He argued, and Finan confirmed, that the superintendent planned the restructuring independent of the supervisors’ contract and that the 5 percent annual salary increases were twice the cost of living increase. “Don’t delude yourselves that this is without cost to the taxpayers,” he said. Board Chair Bob Goldsack supported the extension, pointing to some $415,000 in projected savings over the three years. The supervisors were agreeing to take on extra duties and help the board forge a budget without tax increases. The “offsets” for the taxpayers are in the supervisors’ greater workload and these are not at the expense of the taxpayers, he said.