Northern Lehigh School District plans to hold onto its chief administrative leader.

On an 8-0 vote, the school board on Monday approved notification to Superintendent Dr. Matthew J. Link that it intends to retain him for a further term of three to five years beginning on July 1, under terms and conditions of employment as set forth in a written contract of employment.

Director Donna Kulp was absent.

In June 2021, the school board approved a five-year agreement with Link that went into effect July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2026, and amended the March 8, 2021, Employment Agreement.

Link received a 3% increase each year, with a first-year salary of $175,000.

That came after the board in March 2021 agreed to renew Link’s contract and approved a resolution for his reappointment.

However, the board only voted at that time on the length of the term of Link’s new contract, and said all other items would be negotiated over the next few months and a full new contract will be approved.

Link was appointed as superintendent in October 2017.

The term of that contract was from Jan. 1, 2018, and ending on June 30, 2021.

Link started at a salary of $147,000. He received a 3.5% increase in each of the following three years.