School board to vote on employment contracts

The South Whidbey School Board will finalize the reorganization of its top school officials at the board’s meeting this week.

The South Whidbey School Board will finalize the reorganization of its top school officials at the board’s meeting this week.

The school board is expected to approve the appointments of John Patton, Scott Mauk, Eric Nerison, Jamie Boyd and David Pfeiffer on Wednesday.

Patton, Mauk and Nerison are all new to their positions.

Patton is the principal at South Whidbey High School, after several years as assistant principal and athletic director.

Mauk is replacing Patton as assistant principal and athletic director.

Nerison is the principal at Langley Middle School.

Under the draft contracts, Patton will earn an annual salary of $103,583; Mauk will make $85,217; and Nerison will earn $94,642. Boyd’s contract is for $90,808; and Pfeiffer, the director of alternative programs, will earn $83,227.

Langley Middle School assistant principal Jack Terhar’s contract will be approved Aug. 24 since he is categorized as a teacher and director.

The personnel moves have been in the works for months. They were suggested by former Superintendent Fred McCarthy, who retired at the end of June. Jo Moccia took over as the new superintendent July 1.

The school board approved a three-year contract in late May. The agreement calls for an initial annual salary of $130,000.

Moccia’s contract also includes 25 days of paid vacation, 12 days of paid sick leave, paid professional development and reimbursement of up to $4,000 to move to South Whidbey.

It’s a pay cut for Moccia, however, who earned a $145,600 salary with the Averill Park Central School District in New York.

McCarthy had a $133,775 salary under a contract that was originally planned to run through June 30, 2012.