Dr. Donny Lee has scored the seal of approval from Wichita Falls ISD trustees, a raise and new contract as he forges ahead in the superintendent's position to meet the district's challenges.
The new contract approved by the WFISD School Board will keep Lee in Wichita Falls through June 30, 2027. It can be extended.
Lee's new contract comes with perks, including a $15,000 annual retention bonus, a 7% annual raise and increases to his vehicle allowance. His base annual salary is $230,050.
Lee said what the contract really means is that the district’s work since he arrived has meant something.
“First of all, I’m honored to serve as the leader of WFISD. And it means that the work that we’re doing — and it’s not just me, it’s we — that we’re doing is validated,” Lee said.
In the new contract, his vehicle allowance almost doubled to $1,000 per month and is in lieu of mileage and other expenses associated with the use of his personal automobile for district business. Lee's technology allowance is $1,000 monthly. The previous contract does not list this allowance.
Lee's contract also requires the district to pay a salary supplement equal to the superintendent's member contributions to the Teachers Retirement System.
Below is the superintendent contract Lee and School Board President Katherine McGregor signed Wednesday, July 17.
The School Board voted 4-0 on July 15 to approve the contract at a meeting.
McGregor said the three members who were absent for the vote also expressed full support for Lee.
The superintendent expressed enthusiasm.
“I get to continue to lead this amazing district in exciting times," Lee said, "with our facilities that are booming, with our faculty, and continue to improve our finances. So excited and honored to get extended today."
“We’ve still got a lot of work to do. But until our staff was taken care of and they were given a raise, which hasn’t been done since 2019, then I wasn’t going to be approached about being extended or given a raise because I hadn’t done my job until that point,” Lee said.
More: As WFISD works to right the ship, superintendent's contract up for consideration
The district is going through significant facility changes, with two new high schools on the verge of completion, and other schools undergoing or planning for renovations.
Hirschi Middle School, formerly Hirschi High School, is nearing the end of a round of improvements that have many areas of the school looking brand new.
Things will stay busy for Lee and the district with school starting in less than a month and ribbon-cuttings for the new high schools shortly after. Between now and then, the district will also have a “teacher draft” to welcome new teachers and will host Project Back to School.
Below is Lee's former contract with WFISD.
It includes a base annual salary of $215,000, an allowance for moving and relocation expenses up to $10,000, a salary supplement equal to Lee's member contributions to the TRS and a $550 monthly car allowance.
The contract was signed July 25, 2022, by Lee and former School Board President Mike Rucker.
Signed Superintendent Contract by Denise Nelson on Scribd
More: School spending: What is the outlook for WFISD's budget?
This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: 'I get to continue to lead': See WFISD superintendent's new salary and contract
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