Central Bucks poised to hire new superintendent. Here's a look at proposed contract

Central Bucks School District is poised to appoint its next superintendent at $40,000 less than what his controversial predecessor earned.

The school board is anticipated approve a five-year contract with Steven Yanni at its meeting Tuesday night, according to a copy of the agenda.

Yanni, who lives in the district, would begin Aug. 14, or sooner if he is released from his current position in the Lower Merion School District in Montgomery County.

The district will pay Yanni $275,000 for a 260-day work year, according to a copy of the proposed employment contract.

He replaces Abram Lucabaugh, who left the district in November in what was described as a mutually agreed upon separation. His departure took effect one week after the current Democratic board majority board won five seats overturning the former GOP-majority board.

Lucabaugh left with a $700,000-plus severance package, approved by the lame-duck board, which sparked outrage in the community and an ongoing board legal review of the 11th-hour severance agreement.

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Who is Steve Yanni?

Yanni, 45, was the leading candidate out of an initial pool of 32 applicants. For three years he served as New Hope-Solebury School District superintendent after he was promoted from assistant superintendent in 2015.

He then served as superintendent for the Upper Dublin School District for five years. Most recently he worked as superintendent for the Lower Merion, where he started last August.

How does Lower Merion School District compare with Central Bucks?

It’s a lot smaller.  Lower Merion has about 8,400 students and 10 schools, while Central Bucks has roughly 17,500 and 23 schools.  According to US News and World Reports the districts have similar socio-economic demographics and test score outcomes and graduation rates.

What kind of annual salary increase can Yanni expect?

Yanni will be eligible for a salary increase of 2.5% to 3.5% each year starting July 1, 2025 if he meets or exceeds expectation on his performance rating.  Otherwise his salary will remain unchanged.

What are other benefits included in the proposed Central Bucks School District contract?

• The school board can authorize a one-time bonus payment to Yanni for “exceptional service on a particular issue or project.”

• He can transfer 30 unused sick days from the Lower Merion and will also receive 15 sick days a year and any unused sick leave will accumulate annually without limit.

• District will purchase and pay the premiums for a $500,000 life insurance policy for Yanni.

• He will get 25 days of vacation leave a year but he cannot carry over more than 10 unused vacation days.  The district will contribute $500 for each unused vacation days (up to 10 days) annually to his tax-sheltered retirement plan.

• The district will pay Yanni for up to 35 days of unused vacation in the event his contract is ended for any reach except termination with cause, which will be paid into his tax sheltered retirement account.

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How does Yanni’s  contract compare with the last superintendent?

Lucabaugh was hired in August 2021 at an annual salary of $225,000 with a performance-based raise of at least 2% for the first two years of his five year contract.

In July 2023, the board approved a new five year contract that increased his base salary to $315,000 a year. The new contract also included at least a 2.5% bump in his base pay if the board marked his performance as “proficient” the first two years of the new contract and then a 3% minimum increase for the remaining three years.

Reporter Jo Ciavaglia can be reached at [email protected]

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: New Central Bucks superintendent Steve Yanni to get 5-year contract