New Kensington-Arnold to consider extending superintendent's contract

The New Kensington-Arnold School Board will vote Tuesday on extending the employment of Superintendent Chris Sefcheck.

Sefcheck’s original five-year contract started July 1, 2021, and runs until June 30, 2026. The new five-year deal would start Tuesday and end on June 30, 2029 — effectively extending his employment by three years.

“We want to tie him up for as long as he wants to work,” school board President Tim Beckes said Monday.

To do that, the board first will accept his resignation effective Tuesday before reappointing him as the district’s superintendent.

Sefcheck could not be reached for comment Monday.

The school board initiated extending Sefcheck’s tenure as superintendent, Beckes said.

Beckes said the board has been happy with Sefcheck’s work on the issues of the district’s budget and student discipline and outcomes.

“We’re extremely excited to get Chris for another three years,” he said. “He’s done great things for the district in moving us forward. We feel very fortunate to have him.”

According to the resolution, Sefcheck’s salary would be set at a little over $148,000 in the first year. That would be about a 3.5% increase over the roughly $143,000 he’s been earning since the board last approved a 3.5% increase for Sefcheck in November that was retroactive to July 1, 2023, and good until Sunday.

The new contract carries $5,000 pay increases in each of the first three years, Beckes said. Raises in the last two years would be at the school board’s discretion, he said.

The school board will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the board room at Valley High School. According to the district, the meeting will not be available virtually because of technical difficulties.