Handelman's contract extended

COEUR d'ALENE — Only one Coeur d'Alene School District trustee Monday night voted against adding a year, and a raise, to Superintendent Matt Handelman's contract.

But, Board Chair Christa Hazel said the reasoning for her 'no' vote was a philosophical one.

"I'm voting no tonight and the rationale is that the existing contract has two years remaining," Hazel said at the meeting. "At this time I prefer to wait to discuss renewing a contract that includes additional compensation."

District spokeswoman Laura Rumpler told The Press the renewal, which coincided with Handelman's annual review, will add an extra year to the existing contract and the 1-percent raise will go into effect on July 1. On Tuesday, Hazel told The Press Handelman would have remained employed by the district regardless of the board's actions during Monday night's regular meeting.

"We have these district goals and goal one is to develop a plan to end deficit spending," Hazel said. "I just felt that renewing right now is something I wasn't prepared to do."

Prior to the board's 4-1 vote, Vice Chair Casey Morrisroe stated the board met in executive session a total of three times, twice in January and once in February, to conduct Handelman's evaluation in accordance with Idaho law. Each board member provided a score of the superintendent's performance through an evaluation form and had the opportunity to contribute written comments.

The evaluation focused on the following areas: educational leadership, student achievement, business and finance management, relationships with staff, the board and the community, and personal qualities and professional characteristics.

"The board finds Mr. Handelman's performance to be commendable," Morrisroe read from a joint statement of the board. "Based on input by the board, the identified areas of strength continue to be his attention to educational trends, as well as the educational leadership of the district."

Morrisroe continued his reading of the statement by noting the board appreciates Handelman's unrelenting focus on tightening oversight and bringing the district closer to living within its financial means.