Bill Kuester Will Make $122,000 As New N-O Superintendent

Bill Kuester will make $122,000 to serve as the interim superintendent at Neligh-Oakdale next year. That's over 6 percent more than Kim Lingenfelter is being paid this year.

According to the Superintendent's Transparency Act, contracts must be published at least three days prior to approval by a board of education and must include "a reasonable estimate and description of all current and future costs to the school district." 

Kuester's contract was published on the homepage of the school's website, but it does not include the total cost to the district, as is required by LB 470. The board is scheduled to approve his contract on Monday at the 7 p.m. board meeting.

Lingenfelter's salary for 2014-15 is $115,000 for a total-package value of $154,367.51, when including fringe benefits. Considering Kuester's salary increase, his total package could exceed $160,000 for one year. 

Along with a $122,000 salary, Kuester will receive 20 vacation days, 9 sick days, up to $100 per month reimbursement for a cellular phone, a laptop for both person and professional use, disability insurance, term life insurance of $40,000, professional development expenses, professional dues and other benefits. 

Kuester's contract is similar to that of Lingenfelter's. Differences include allowing Kuester to use the school laptop for personal use and doubling a stipend for his cellular phone, along with the salary increase.

Last December, Lingenfelter resigned effective June 30, 2015. She was paid $112,000 for 2013-14 and $105,000 each of the two previous years.

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