Lee’s Summit board sets salary for new superintendent, then seeks $224M bond issue
The Lee’s Summit school board on Thursday approved a three-year contract and $235,000 annual salary for its new superintendent and then agreed to place a $244 million, no tax increase, bond issue on the April ballot.
David Buck starts his duties as Lee’s Summit’s third superintendent in almost as many years on July 1. He is currently superintendent of Wright City schools, a tiny district — about one-tenth the size of Lee’s Summit — about 50 miles west of St. Louis.
Board members welcomed Buck to the district during the public board meeting and formally introduced him to the community, but he did not address the audience.
His new salary mirrors the annual salary the district paid former superintendent Dennis Carpenter, who abruptly resigned in July. Carpenter left with a $750,000 payout after a year of clashing with the board over bringing equity training to the district.
Before Carpenter, Lee’s Summit was paying Superintendent David McGehee a base salary of $276,287. With benefits, McGehee was paid $397,000 and was the highest-paid superintendent in the state in 2016. He resigned from the district under pressure and left with a $450,000 payout.
Any raises that Buck might get in the future would be proportionate to teacher raises. Other details of Buck’s contract were not available Thursday night.
Buck has led the Wright City school district since 2015. After a national search, the school board chose him from among four finalists during a specially called closed session Jan. 10.
The search for a new superintendent involved input from parents, teachers, students and members of the community.
“I feel like a lot of thought went into the selection process,” said Danielle Pearsall, who has two children attending schools in the district and attended the board meeting. She feels encouraged that Buck “will make the right decisions for the Lee’s Summit school district. I am looking forward to what the future holds.”
In addition to his five years as superintendent, Buck spent seven years as assistant superintendent for Wright City.
He is one of four Missourians to complete the National Superintendent Certification from the American Association of School Administrators, an accomplishment education administrators said is like having two doctorate degrees.
With a new superintendent named, the board is now focused on a $224 million no-tax-increase bond issue going on the ballot in April. Buck has said he is committed to being involved in the district’s bond proposal.
The money would pay to build a new middle school, create new space for early childhood learning and renovate other schools, including Lee’s Summit High School, the oldest of the district’s three high schools.
“We are really excited about having the opportunity to bring all three of our outstanding high school facilities to the same standard,” Emily Miller, acting superintendent, said in a statement.
Parents who addressed the board on Thursday said they support the bond issue, especially because it will renovate Lee’s Summit High School.
“There are current safety, accessibility and technology needs at that school,” said Tom Benassi, who has two children in the district. “Lee’s Summit High School does not have the same level of facilities as the other schools across this district.”
Bond money also would be spent to upgrade security systems throughout the district. The last no-tax-increase bond issue approved by voters was in 2015. The April bond issue vote will require a four-sevenths majority for approval.
This story was originally published January 24, 2020 at 7:53 AM.
