Saline Board of Education Votes to Extend Superintendent Graden's Contract After Dispute Over Process

The Saline Area Schools Board of Education voted unanimously to extend the contract of Superintendent Scot Graden by one year.

Despite what appeared to be good reviews following a closed-session evaluation, the board is offering no pay raise for Graden due to the uncertainty around the district's budget. Based on the press release issued last year, Graden's pay will remain $164,000.

Board President Heidi Pfannes said the board was pleased with Graden's performance but could not offer a raise.

"Scot has been doing a great job. He had a really good evaluation. But given (the budget uncertainty) there is no way financially that we can increase his salary," Pfannes said. "But we do want to extend his contract for another year. Hopefully, he'll want to do that. We trust you, Scot, and want you around."

Graden did not speak to whether or not he'll accept the contract offer.

The board did make changes to language relating to severance. Graden was set to receive $1,000 for every year of service in administrative ranks upon retirement. That figure has been bumped up to $1,500 and is now available to him in other forms of severance.

Pfannes said the increase was a way for the board to recognize Graden's leadership during a difficult time.

"Scot has not taken increases in salaries as other (superintendents) have. He was the first to say he would not take raises if staff wasn't going to offered rates. He was the first to lead the charge. That's very commendable," Pfannes said. "We want him to understand he's been a good leader for us. We want longevity. With longevity comes stability. Thank you Scot, we really do appreciate you."

Graden's contract, if accepted, would be extended until June 30, 2025.

The unanimous vote came after the board went into executive session to review Graden's performance. Earlier in the meeting, there was some disagreement at the board table.

Graden's raise came at the recommendation of the board's evaluation and compensation committee. Trustee Susan Estep believed she was a member of the committee. The district website lists Estep as a member of the committee, along with Tim Austin and Paul Hynek. But when the committee met, they met with Pfannes in Estep's place.

Naturally, she had questions.

"I am on this committee. I was never contacted about this committee. Was it open to the public? I never heard anything about this committee meeting," Estep said.

District administrative assistant Patti Waltz said the meeting and zoom link was posted on the website.

Estep said she served on the committee last year but was not involved in any deliberations before the contract was renewed.

Trustee Jennifer Steben asked why the committee not meet last year.

Hynek, who previously handled the duty by himself, said that committee was not previously acting in compliance with the Open Meetings Act and that it had changed its procedure this year.

Trustee Tim Austin apologized to Estep for not including her in the committee discussion.

"I take responsibility for the mix-up with the committee. I did not circle back to the website to check (on the members). That would be my fault. I apologize," Austin said.

He offered to have the board table the issue and re-start the process.

Estep said she thought the board deserved to see the full contract and not just the two paragraphs offered by the evaluation and compensation committee.

"For tonight, I'd like to see the full contract before making the decision," Estep said.

Graden's full evaluation was conducted in December in accordance with MASB guidelines.

Graden has served as Saline school district's superintendent since March 2008, before which he worked as a community education program specialist also in Saline schools starting in 1995.

In terms of longevity, Graden ranks third among superintendents in the school district's history. Leo Jensen performed in the role for 21 years, from 1943 to 1964. Graden is right behind Howard Hintz, who was superintendent from 1964-1978. 

More News from Saline

• County Announces 4 Clean-up Days, All Require Registration Washtenaw County Water Resources Materials Management Division announced the 2024 County Clean-Up Day schedule.
• LAX: Nishioka Scores 5 as Saline Bests Dexter Maddie Nishioka scored five goals to lead Saline to a 9-4 victory over Dexter Monday night at Hornet Stadium.