Kapptie signs contract

In a split vote, the Ekalaka Elementary District No. 15 and Carter County High School Unified Board of Trustees moved to offer a superintendent/principal contract to candidate James Kapptie at a board meeting last week. The total compensation package offered in the contract was actually less than a contract that had been previously offered to him by the board. This "final offer" to Kapptie also came with a forty-eight hour expiration.

Kapptie signed. The start date of the contract is July 1st.

The two-year contract for superintendent/principal includes a base salary of $82,500 for 240 days, free district provided housing (less a $200 utility fee per month), full family health insurance, a $1,500 annual HSA contribution and up to $1,000 in moving expenses. The contract also includes vacation pay and sick leave in accordance with MCA, 8 personal days and 5 bereavement days.

Ekalaka Public Schools has not had administration since the resignations of principal Brian Purnell (who left in November) and superintendent Charles Cook (who resigned in November but stayed through the end of the first semester of the current school year).

Purnell's contract included a base salary of $85,000 for a 200 day contract, district paid utilities including electricity, water and propane, $3,500 in moving expenses, 75 percent reimbursement for classes required to become a superintendent, and 16 personal days for the first year of the contract. He was also provided with district housing. Cook's contract was for part-time superintendent, 94 days with a $36,000 base salary and dental/vision insurance.

James Kapptie previously worked at Ekalaka Public Schools as both a teacher and coach from 1999 to 2003.