Neshaminy Superintendent Turns Down Salary Increase

Neshaminy School District Superintendent Robert Copeland has rejected his salary increases.

The board voted to approve a modification on Tuesday that would keep Copeland’s salary at $171,000. The contract extension will remain in place until his contract expires in 2017.

In summer, the school board voted to raise Copeland’s salary to $185,000 with annual increases and to extend his contract.

The move was met with gratitude by many on the school board. School Board President Scott Congdon said Copeland is a “total asset to this district.”

Board member Mike Morris, who voted against the modification, said Copeland was the “best superintendent that Neshaminy has ever seen.” He did raise issue with the contract extension and said the original deal was written that way so both parties could renegotiate at the end of it.

Board member Ron Rudy, who also voted against the modification, said Copeland’s move to reject the increase was “commendable” and raised an issue similar to Morris’.

Copeland, who came to Neshaminy after serving as superintendent in New Jersey’s Piscataway School District, said he has enjoyed his time in the district and sees a bright future ahead.

Also at the meeting, the board approved the promotion of administrator Dr. Gloria Hancock. She will be the district’s newest assistant superintendent.

District officials said her contract will run until June 30, 2018 and will pay her $144,547 per year.

“I would really just like to say thank you to the board and the Neshaminy community,” Hancock said.

Former Neshaminy School District Assistant Superintendent Dr. Jacqueline Rattigan left the district to take a job as superintendent of the Pennridge School District in summer 2013.

The district contracted with Source4Teachers to provide an interim assistant superintendent. That temporary position paid $600 a day plus payroll taxes, board members said.