SCHOOL BOARD APPROVES DARROW CONTRACT

morana-darrowAdministrator Annie Darrow, foreground, with Superintendent Laura Morana earlier this year.

Red Bank’s Board of Ed last night approved a one-year contract with a four-percent salary bump for Administrator Annie Darrow, the Asbury Park Press reports.

The board also accepted an anonymous $70,000 donation, the paper reports.

From the Press:

The board voted 6-1 with board member Ben Forest casting the lone no vote.

Darrow, who has served with the board since August 2005, received a salary increase from $96,720 to $100,589 for a one-year contract which runs from July 1 through June 30, 2010. She received an annual salary of $89,000 when she joined the district four years ago.

Forest said his objection was due to the amount in the current economic climate and stressed that Darrow has done a great job. As finance committee chairman, Forest said that he’s worked closely with Darrow.

“Based on the amount, it comes to a 4 percent raise. I’m not comfortable with that at this time,” Forest said. “A lot of taxpayers in town have taken reductions in their salaries or lost their jobs.”

Board President Peter Noble defended the increase, saying Darrow often works nights and weekends which, if paid for on an hourly basis, might cost the district more.

The article also included this:

The board also received $70,000 from an anonymous donor who asked the funds be used to expand the district’s music, science, student incentive program, technology integration, parent education program and writing.