Freeport Area board extends superintendent's term with new 5-year contract

Superintendent Ian Magness will lead the Freeport Area School District for five more years.

The school board approved a new contract that will keep Magness at Freeport Area until October 2028.

“I am humbled and grateful that the school board is giving me an opportunity to lead the district for another five years,” Magness said.

Magness, 45, who began his ninth year as Freeport Area’s superintendent this month, will earn $171,000 in the 2024-25 school year, the first year of the new contract. That represents a 5.5% increase from his current $162,000 salary.

The remainder of the contract calls for increases equal to what other district administrators will receive through Act 93, which provides administrators with a mechanism to discuss salary and benefit increases with school boards.

“I get what all the rest of the Act 93 group gets,” Magness said. “I wasn’t asking for anything more than what anybody else gets.”

He said that likely would be increases between 2% and 3%.

The contract was approved in an 8-1 vote with board member Gary Risch as the lone dissenting vote.

Risch explained his vote was not meant to be a rap against Magness personally or the job he has done.

“His contract was not up until November of next year and, with possibly three new members coming onto the board, I felt that those people should be involved in voting on Mr. Magness’ contract,” Risch said.

Other board members said now is the time to approve a new contract.

“We know what Mr. Magness has done,” board member Christine Davies said. “If we can do this for Mr. Magness, with all the money he has saved this district, I think we should do it.”

“The new board members won’t know what he has done,” she added.

Board member John Haven pointed out that the raise is justified not only because of Magness’ performance, but also because he has taken voluntary wage freezes in 2018-19, 2020-21 and 2021-22.

“I think Mr. Magness did a wonderful job getting us through covid,” Haven said. “It was one of the most trying times, and I congratulate you on what you did.”

Board member Frank Prazenica said he understands and respects Risch’s reasoning, but believes approving the new contract now is the right thing to do given Magness’ leadership.

“As far as this district, he (Magness) is very dedicated,” Prazenica said. “He will do anything he can for the kids and the staff.”

Board President Adam Toncini agreed.

“The one thing you can say about Mr. Magness is he cares about every single student who walks through our doors,” he said.