The board voted 6-0 to approve the six-page pact with , the longtime head of Bethany public schools who is expected to begin working in the Oxford district on Aug. 1. His contract expires on June 30, 2015, at which time the board will review his job performance. The board will formally review Connellan’s job performance annually, the contract states.
Connellan, 52, will also receive a 5-percent annual tax-sheltered annuity, plus an annual stipend of $2,000 upon attainment of a doctorate degree.
Board of Education Chairwoman Paula Guillet said she believes the contract is fair and is in line with what superintendents in like-sized school districts in Connecticut are receiving.
Some fringe benefit highlights from the contract include:
- The board, which appointed Connellan as the new school chief on June 4, will also provide Connellan with 15 sick days annually cumulative to 188 days and that Connellan begins with 30 sick days accumulated. Unused sick days shall not be compensated when employment terminates, the agreement states.
- Also, the school board will give Connellan 25 vacation days annually, and when he gives the board proper notice, he may carry over up to 10 days from year-to-year. In the event of his death, unused sick days shall be paid to Connellan’s estate.
- Conellan and his family will receive the same health insurance that is provided to a majority of the school district administrators or teachers.
- The board shall provide Connellan with 2.5 times the annual base salary of term life insurance during the term of the agreement.
- The board agrees to provide Connellan with a stipend of up to $350 to reimburse him for travel expenses incurred in the performance of his duties as superintendent.
When Connellan was hired on June 4, Guillet said: “Mr. Connellan’s very successful and broad based early educational experiences, beginning as a psychologist, teaching at both the elementary and secondary levels, supervisory positions spanning kindergarten through grade 12 as the director of student services, including special education, and most recently as as successful K-6 superintendent in the highly-regarded community of Bethany, Conn., were impressive.”
