School board approves contract with interim superintendent Gary Anger

Shakopee Valley News

The Shakopee School Board approved the interim superintendent contract for Gary Anger during a special business meeting Friday morning.

Anger was the superintendent of Zumbrota-Mazeppa Public Schools before accepting the position. His contract begins Aug. 9 of this year and ends June 30, 2019.

"My immediate and long-term focus will be to work alongside students, staff and community members to be 'Education Forward,' " Anger said in a news release. "I look forward to serving Shakopee schools in collaboration with our strong community."

For 2017 to 2018, Anger will receive a salary of $179,000 and $189,000 for 2018 to 2019.

Former superintendent Rod Thompson would have made $212,000 for 2017 to 2018 and $217,300 for 2018 to 2019, according to a superintendent contract comparison provided by the district.

Thompson resigned earlier this year amid a police investigation into his use of district credit cards, after a series of reports by the Valley News. 

"Compared to the former superintendent's contract, Gary's negotiated contract allows us to save almost $56,000 for the 2017 to 2018 fiscal year and a little over $50,000 for the 2018 to 2019 fiscal year, before taxes," School Board Chairman Scott Swanson said in the release.

Anger was previously an elementary principal in Eagan, an adjunct professor at St. Mary's University and a principal at Grey Cloud Elementary in Cottage Grove.

Anger and candidate Michael Redmond interviewed for the interim position July 20. The school board voted 4-2 to enter into contract negotiations with Anger on July 24.

"Gary's tremendous reputation for building relationships with teachers, parents and the community makes him the best choice for our district, given the current climate," Swanson said in the release. "We are ready to get started with a new leader at the helm and are confident Gary can move us in the right direction."

Anger holds current superintendent and principal licensure.