Oakwood schools chief gets a new 5-year deal
Package includes raise, annuity for Ramey, who started in 2013.
Superintendent Kyle Ramey gets a raise and praise from board members, who say they support his leadership style and team.
Oakwood Superintendent OAKWOOD— Kyle Ramey’s new5-year contract includes a raise, plus more than $18,000 a year into an annuity.
Ramey became Oakwood superintendent in 2013 when Mary Jo Scalzo retired after nine years.
School Board President Todd Duwel said the district supports Ramey’s leadership and ability to inspire his staff.
“The Oakwood Board of Education recognizes the leadership of Dr. Ramey and his administrative team to inspire,” Duwel said. “As a board, we are fully supportive of our district leaders’ passion and commitment to the students, staff and community of Oakwood.”
Last year Ramey made $167,997. Now, after accepting the new 5-year deal, his pay will stand at
$169,997 per year. The board also will pay $18,267annually into a tax-sheltered annuity or deferred compensation plan to a company Ramey approves.
He will be required to work 260 days, with 11 paid holidays and 25 vacation days, plus an added medical exam that is not covered by his health care plan.
The contract also stipulates the superintendent’s salary and annuity payment benefit will increase by 4 percent “gross total over the preceding year’s established amounts.”
A native of Heath, Ohio, Ramey’s first teaching job was in Graham Local Schools in Champaign County. He had been with Kettering City Schools for 20 years, serving as principal of Kettering Middle School, unit principal of Fairmont High School, directorof teacher personnel and human resources director for the district.
Ramey says addressing the issue of teacher shortages will be important.
“The key to any successful district or building is having great kids, engaged parents, supportive community and top-notch teachers,” he noted. “If educators and parents aren’t encouraging, recruiting and mentoring our own best and brightest to be teachers, how can we expect anyone else to do it for us?
“We certainly aren’t getting help from legislators. The use of state report cards and invalid, unreliable and inaccurate state tests to rank and to sort districts and teachers doesn’t encourage anyone towant to travel down this career path.
“Add public scrutiny, a general erosion of respect for the teaching profession and so many testing requirements and teaching guidelines, even those who begin their careers in education aren’t as likely to stay throughout their professional lives.”
Other administrators in the district received a more than 3 percent raise, according to Kevin Philo, district treasurer.
“Most other administrators were approved for salary increases of 3 percent to 4 percent,” he said.
Athletic Director Laura Connor received an 8.5 percent raise and will make $101,106 in a four-year contract, and Harman Elementary School Principal Sarah Patterson receiveda 3.25 percent increase in salary and is slated to make $119,329.