The Groton Board of Education has approved a contract for Interim School Superintendent John Ramos that would pay him $722 a day, with 25 paid holidays.
The board voted 6 -2, with Board Members Rita Volkmann and Shelley Gardner against, to approve the contract Tuesday night. The action was taken after the board voted to suspended the rules of the meeting.
Board Member Beverly Washington was not able to attend the meeting, but said earlier she would have voted against the contract.
Volkmann said she objected to the contract because of the daily amount and the paid holidays, not because of a lack of confidence in Ramos.
“My problem is with the contract, not with Dr. Ramos. I would have liked the board to negotiate a different contract," she said.
The school board is in negotiations with teachers and paraprofessionals, who have not received a pay raise in three years, Volkmann said. She said the school department has also been told it can expect a zero percent budget increase again this year.
Ramos’ contract is based on a pro-rated amount of $167,475 spread over a 232-day work schedule, from Oct. 1 through June 30. This translates into $721.88 per day, payable on a biweekly basis.
Superintendent Paul Kadri, who has been on paid administrative leave since early May, received a lesser daily amount because his contract was based on a longer work schedule of 260 days.
Ramos had asked for a stipend for travel expenses since he lives 70 miles from Groton, but this was not stipulated in the contract. Volkmann said she believes it was included in the total pro-rated amount, although it was not specified.
The contract also includes a $250 a month stipend for use of Ramos’ private vehicle.
