Quincy School District superintendent contract extended
CHERYL SCHWEIZER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 years, 5 months AGO
The contract of Quincy School District superintendent Nik Bergman (pictured) was extended by the Quincy School Board Tuesday.
CHERYL SCHWEIZER/COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD
Senior Reporter Cheryl Schweizer is a journalist with more than 30 years of experience serving small communities in the Pacific Northwest. She began her post-high-school education at Treasure Valley Community College and enerned her journalism degree at Oregon State University. After working for multiple publications, she has settled down at the Columbia Basin Herald and has been a staple of the newsroom for more than a decade. Schweizer’s dedication to her communities and profession has earned her the nickname “The Baroness of Bylines.” She covers a variety of beats including health, business and various municipalities. | June 29, 2022 5:22 PM
QUINCY — Quincy School Board members have extended the contract of Superintendent Nic Bergman through June 2025. Board members approved the new contract unanimously at their regular meeting Tuesday.
“Implementing the strategic plan is going to be my work,” he said Wednesday.
Board members recently approved the plan Bergman said will be the focus of his next contract term. The contract runs through June 30, 2025. A copy of the contract is available on the Quincy School District website.
Bergman will be paid a base salary of $190,000 for the 2022-23 school year.
According to the contract, if board members want to reduce the contract term, Bergman must receive notice by Feb. 1. The board does have the right to fire the superintendent at any time, it said. If he is not discharged for cause, the district is required to pay the remaining salary and any accumulated vacation and sick leave.
He is also required to live within the Quincy district boundaries.
Bergman receives up to 30 days of vacation, with the option to roll 15 days over into the following year. He can receive compensation for up to 15 days of unused vacation. The superintendent is eligible for the district’s health insurance, commensurate with that provided to other administrators, and the district pays a portion of the premium.
The superintendent is required to maintain membership in the Quincy Chamber of Commerce and at least one local service organization, according to the contract. The district pays membership dues and other costs up to $950 per year. There is a stipend for traveling around the district, which was determined to be cheaper than providing a car, it said. There’s also a cell phone stipend.
Bergman took over the superintendent’s job in January, after former QSD Superintendent John Boyd resigned to take a job with Evergreen Public Schools in Vancouver. Previously Bergman had worked for six years as QSD assistant superintendent.
He’s an 18-year veteran of the district, starting as a history and English teacher, according to a previous Columbia Basin Herald story.
David Garza, formerly director of student support services for the Wahluke School District, was named to replace Bergman as assistant superintendent in April.
ARTICLES BY CHERYL SCHWEIZER
More rain for Cascades, high winds for Columbia Basin this week
LEAVENWORTH — A second strong winter storm is projected to hit Washington this week, bringing heavy rains back to areas that were hard-hit by rain and flooding last week. Steve Bodnar, meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Spokane, said rain is forecast to start Monday, but won’t last as long.
Revised Moses Lake ordinance designed to recover some MLFD costs
MOSES LAKE — An ordinance revision approved by the Moses Lake City Council will allow more consistent billing of insurance companies in cases of emergency response by the Moses Lake Fire Department. In certain circumstances, property owners or vehicle owners may be responsible for paying whatever emergency response costs are not covered by insurance. The revisions passed on a 6-1 council vote Tuesday, with council member Victor Lombardi voting no.
Quincy EP&O levy to go to voters
QUINCY — Quincy School District voters will be asked to accept or reject a four-year educational programs and operations levy in a special election in February. If it’s approved, it would replace the levy approved by voters in 2022. District superintendent Nik Bergman said money raised through the levy accounts for about 16% of the district’s budget. “The state doesn’t fully fund a lot of programs,” Bergman said. “It’s used to fund our highly capable (program) and STEAM enrichment. Some of it is used to fund special education, early learning, the arts, music. We have a music program that is just flourishing right now, and I can connect that to the community support of the levy.”