The Jim Thorpe Area School District board of directors approved a two-year extension to Superintendent Robert Presley’s contract Wednesday night via a 6-1 vote.

The contract, which started on Aug. 1, 2022, was initially slated to conclude on June 30, 2025. However, Wednesday’s decision extends Presley’s tenure until June 30, 2027.

The move comes nearly a year after the board granted a salary adjustment to Presley in January, raising his annual income from $122,000 to $135,000.

According to the new contract extension, all provisions related to salary increases and benefits remain the same. Presley is set to receive a 3% salary increase on July 1 of each year unless he received an “unsatisfactory” or “needs improvement” rating on his annual performance assessment.

The decision sparked varied opinions within the community, with resident Jennifer Steward expressing concerns about the timing of the extension.

“Is it typical practice for the Jim Thorpe School Board to extend the contract of the superintendent when they are currently 15 months into their current one?” Steward asked during public comment Wednesday. “We still have almost two years to decide if (Presley) is an asset to this school district. When you try to push a new contract before a new board of directors coming on, it makes the public question your intentions and wonder if you are using it to continue to push any agendas the previous board had in place.”

Presley responded to the community’s concerns by urging the board to table the vote. Presley expressed his willingness to be evaluated by the new board when the time comes.

“We have made quite a few changes in an effort to improve the district,” Presley said. “I do not want this to go through and be looked at as improper or me carrying a hidden agenda. I don’t operate that way. I never have and I never will. When I make decisions, I make them for what is best for the district and what is best for the students. I plan on being here. If the new board chooses to keep me, I will be here.”

Board President Scott Pompa defended the decision, revealing that the extension had been under consideration for several months.

“I was dragging my feet on it and I just felt Mr. Presley has done an outstanding job and is worthy of the five-year deal,” Pompa said. “I’m disappointed we didn’t give you a five-year deal from the start. I talked to the solicitor and everything that was done was done legally.”

However, not all board members were in agreement. Dennis McGinley voted against the extension, arguing that newly elected board members should have a say in such decisions. Pearl Downs Sheckler abstained from the vote.