New school superintendent getting additional pay in transition period

The Wichita school board will pay Alicia Thompson an additional $8,506 to serve as superintendent this month as John Allison ends his term with a three-week vacation.

Board members on Monday approved a supplemental employment contract with Thompson, who was slated to take over as superintendent on July 1.

“For all practical purposes, Dr. Thompson will serve as the Superintendent for the Wichita Public Schools during the month of June 2017,” the contract says.

“The Board of Education … wants to pay Dr. Thompson additional compensation.”

The additional pay – $8,506 – is the difference between what Thompson is paid each month as assistant superintendent of elementary schools and what she will make as superintendent, the supplemental contract says.

Board members approved a three-year contract with Thompson in February.

As superintendent, she will be paid a base salary of $240,000 a year. In addition, she will receive a $780-a-month car and mileage allowance, $525 a month for “professional, civic and incidental expenses” and a $25,000-a-year contribution to her retirement, bringing the total annual package to $280,660.

The district will continue paying Allison through June 30, when he leaves for the top post in the Olathe school district.

According to the contract approved Monday, Allison is on vacation June 7-30.

Allison’s base salary is $229,408 a year; additional allowances and retirement contributions bring his total annual package to $288,068.

This story was originally published June 19, 2017 at 4:30 PM with the headline "New school superintendent getting additional pay in transition period."