NL announces new superintendent, exchanges contracts for next year

BY BRYCE KELLY

Mt. Pleasant News

NEW LONDON ? New London Community School District has chosen its new leader.

Chad Wahls, an elementary school principal with the Postville Community School District, in Postville, has been announced as the school?s choice to take the place of current superintendent, Steve McAllister, next school year. McAllister announced his retirement in July 2015, and will be stepping down at the end of June.

?Chad is really personable and knowledgeable in all realms of education,? said McAllister, speaking to media after a special session on Thursday afternoon to exchange contract proposals with the district?s education association. ?I think everyone involved in the hiring process really liked him. When I spoke with him, I really liked him. He is a great choice.?

Postville Elementary/Middle School educates roughly 390 students, with its high school averaging about 270 students.

?Obviously, I have a vested interested in everything we have done here (at New London) and want to see the district moving forward,? McAllister said. ?I couldn?t be more pleased with who I am passing the torch to.?

The soon-to-be superintendent visited New London?s campus on Friday morning to officially meet with the district?s staff and students, as well as take another tour of the district?s facilities.

Wahls was one of five superintendents that were interviewed for the position. All interviews conducted by the district were done so in closed session, as per the request of the candidates.

Besides giving his input on the district?s recent choice for superintendent, McAllister also reported that initial contract proposals between the New London Community School District Board of Education and the New London Education Association have been exchanged.

Within the Board of Education?s contract, the board proposed to age the salary schedule using the generator base of $28,713 for a total salary package increase of 1.31 percent for the 2016-2017 Master Contract.

In regards to insurance, the board also proposed that the 2016-2017 insurance rate increase for the three plans offered by the district will average 4.5 percent, which will be the responsibility of the employee.

As for the initial contract proposal for the New London Education Association, the group proposed an increase of $1,400 on the generator base for 2016-2017. The group will also be negotiating for a 190-day contract. The current single salary base is $31,875.

Also on New London Education Association?s proposal was information regarding policy on leave of absence for illness in an employee?s immediate family. The contract proposed that in the case of illness of a member of the employee?s immediate family, a leave of absence up to three days per year with full pay will be granted.

Additionally, the contract proposed that an employee may choose to give up sick leave in exchange for additional family illness days with full pay. The employee may exchange days a maximum of 30 days per year. Ten additional days for critical illness in immediate family may be granted, and the granting of these 10 additional critical illness days is subject to approval of the Superintendent or his delegated authority.

The two parties will meet once again on Thursday, March 10, at 3:45 p.m., in the district?s boardroom, to discuss the contract proposals.