Brandon Twp.- Superintendent Matt Outlaw has met or exceeded goals for the school district in less than a year on the job and on Monday night, the board rewarded his work.
In a 6-0 vote, the board approved extending Outlaw’s contract by one year, to 2018. Boardmember Lisa Kavalhuna was absent.
‘In the evaluation process, we found he is doing an excellent job and the things he’s been asked to do and committed to do, he is doing very well,? said Board President Kevin McClellan. ‘We are very pleased with his forward progress and chose to extend the contract for another year to show the continued support the board has for him.?
Outlaw received a 97 percent approval rating from the board in his evaluation.
It was just over a year ago that the school board approved hiring Outlaw to replace the retiring Lorrie McMahon. Outlaw worked in the Grosse Pointe Public Schools for more than 10 years, and left that district as a high school principal. He officially started in Brandon July 1, with a base salary of $130,000 annually and merit pay in the contract based on enrollment.
His contract will now be extended through June 30, 2018, with no increase in salary or changes other than the date.
‘It’s been a great year, there are a lot of outstanding people here and I really like the Brandon School District,? said Outlaw. ‘We’ve accomplished all that we have set out for this year. We have our sights set a lot higher for the 15-16 school year and beyond.?
One of Outlaw’s stated goals in taking over leadership of the district was to stabilize enrollment and finances. The district has lost more than 800 students since 2006 and Outlaw’s objective has been to ‘right-size? the district to match a continuing forecast of declining enrollment due to lower birth rates. To do so, the board approved $1.6 million in cuts last month, including the reduction of 15 full-time teacher positions for next school year.