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"A number of positive comments were made about Mr. Richards," Board Vice President Sharon Muir said. "We're very pleased with Mr. Richards' performance."

Richards requested his performance evaluation be given in a closed session. When he and the board emerged and went back into an open session, they gave Richards the one-year contract extension he had requested. The board could give up to a five-year extension and the average length of a superintendent's contract is three years.

The board also approved Richards' performance evaluation, which was based on the areas of policy and governance, communications and community relations, human resource management, educational leadership (curriculum, instruction, and organizational management), values/ethics of leadership, and business and finance.

Muir said Richards scored strong in all of the above areas, but the board especially applauded his integrity and work ethic. "I think his two strongest attributes are his leadership, values, ethics, and human resource management," she said. "He's only been superintendent one and one-half years and I think there's a learning curve. He's show that he's very dedicated to that. We're super happy with him."

No salary increase was given. Muir said an increase for Richards will be considered by the finance committee. He currently earns an annual salary of $113,400.

Richards said there were no surprises on how his performance evaluation was graded. His evaluation is required according to his contract.

He has been superintendent of the Imlay City Community Schools for the last 18 months after serving as principal of Imlay City High School.

Board President Beth Murawski was absent from the meeting. Instead, Board Vice President Sharon Muir ran the meeting.

Jennifer Decker can be reached at (810) 664-0811, Ext. 8125 or jennifer.decker@lapeergroup.com.