Northern Lehigh School District has approved the terms of a new contract with its assistant superintendent.

On an 8-1 vote, the school board on Monday approved the employment agreement between Assistant Superintendent Dr. Tania Stoker and the school district. Director Chad Christman was opposed.

Stoker’s contract is in effect from July 1 through June 30, 2027. It calls for an annual base salary of $149,000 from July 1 until June 30, 2023.

Upon receiving at least a satisfactory or proficient evaluation for her performance in the immediately preceding school year, Stoker’s base salary calls for a 3% increase on July 1, 2023, and every July 1 for each year of the agreement.

Stoker’s salary will be $153,470 in the 2023-2024 school year; $158,074 in 2024-2025; $162,816 in 2025-2026; and $167,701 in 2026-2027.

Afterward, Superintendent Matthew J. Link congratulated Stoker, and said he was “very happy” with the approval of her contract.

“She is a complete asset to this district, and I look forward to working with her for the next five years,” Link said. “Many great things lie ahead for the district, much of that has to do with Dr. Stoker.”

In March, the school board unanimously approved a resolution to reappoint Stoker.

That vote was essentially notification of a commitment to another five years, but was not the terms of the contract.

After that meeting, Superintendent Matthew J. Link said the board had until June 30 to come to terms on Stoker’s contract.

The board in June 2019 approved a title change for Stoker from assistant to the superintendent to assistant superintendent with no salary change.

In addition, the board at that time also approved a three-year agreement for Stoker, effective July 1, 2019, through June 30, 2022.

Link said at that time while there is no increase in salary for being appointed assistant superintendent, Stoker would continue to be eligible for pay increase in alignment with the other administrative staff.

Additionally, there was no change in health or retirement benefits, he said.

Stoker continued to be the lead administrator in the district for curriculum, instruction, and assessment, and will also continue to plan the districtwide professional development and oversee all federal programs, such as Title I services.

She was appointed assistant to the superintendent in November 2017 at a prorated annual salary of $120,000.

Stoker replaced former Assistant Superintendent Karen Nicholas who retired Feb. 12, 2018, after 18 years of service with the district.