By Rick Palsgrove
Southeast Editor
The Groveport Madison Board of Education approved a 5 percent pay raise for Superintendent Bruce Hoover.
The increase raises Hoover’s annual salary from $120,000 to $126,000 for the balance of his current contract. Hoover is under a three year contract with the district that runs from Aug. 1, 2015 to July 31, 2018.
“The superintendent did not get a pay raise when his current contract was initially renewed because the board wanted to wait until the teacher and OAPSE contracts were completed before addressing the superintendent,” said Groveport Madison Board of Education President Libby Gray.
Though Hoover did not get a pay raise when his contract was initially renewed in December 2014, the contract did authorize the board to pay $9,000 into a tax deferred annuity, which was up from $7,000 in the previous contract.
“Superintendent Hoover has successfully lead the district through some of its most challenging times in recent memory, and as a board, we appreciate his hard work and dedication,” said Gray. “While there is still a great deal of work to do, the board commends him for the tremendous accomplishments of his administration over these past four years. The board is pleased with the overall progress the district has made under his leadership.”
According to Gray, Hoover is among the lowest-paid superintendents in Central Ohio.
“But we hope this small, but well-deserved increase, speaks positively of his work and leadership in Groveport Madison Schools,” she said.
Gray said Hoover has worked to develop productive relationships with many constituencies, including parents, the business community, as well as local and state elected officials, which the board states has improved trust and credibility with the community.
She cited several accomplishments attained during Hoover’s tenure including:
•Ensured the materials, systems, and people are in place to drive short- and long-term student achievement efforts.
•Increased intervention services to struggling students, expanded Gifted and Talented services, and the development of the College and Career Pathways and College Credits Plus programs for high school students.
•Invested in leading-edge classroom technology resulting in nearly a one-to-one ratio of computers-to-students.
•Restored the district’s financial stability through passage of an operating levy and through grants and other resources.
•Arrived at a fair, yet financially conservative labor agreements with the district’s two collective bargaining units.
•Managed expenses enabling the restoration of a $1.5 million emergency contingency fund.
•Made improvements to reduce energy costs and monitor utility usage.
•Improved learning environments and developed a plan to address overcrowding concerns.
•Developed a 15-year facilities master plan to prioritize facility needs and lead to the construction of a new high school.
•Invested in existing facilities by replacing worn and leaky roofs, broken heating systems and crumbling facades.
•Improved school environments by installing building-wide air-conditioning systems, replacing outdated lighting and electrical systems, and updating gymnasiums and public areas.
