Dearest Reader,
It appears Hemlock has appointed this author to a full-time position she never applied for.
For two days now, this author's inbox has overflowed with messages, documents, contracts, and screenshots — all pertaining to Hemlock Public Schools. She thanks every courier. She does not, as a rule, fix her gaze so intently upon one district. At present, however, she can scarcely keep pace.
Today's contribution: the Superintendent's contracts.
In 2016, Mr. Don Killingbeck's agreement provided a base salary of $95,000, alongside a $5,000 tax-deferred annuity.
For 2025–26, his contract now provides:
$141,831 base salary
$14,183 annuity
$13,000 longevity payment
Up to $3,000 in performance payments
And then, tucked within, this:
$15,000 per year for "additional duties," running July 2025 through June 2027. The contract promises a separate job description, Board-approved, detailing precisely what these duties entail.
This author finds herself curious. For context: Hemlock's current teacher contract begins a first-year, bachelor's-degree teacher at $42,230.
The "additional duties" payment alone amounts to roughly 35.5% of that entire starting salary.
So this author poses a question of the utmost simplicity:
What, precisely, are these additional duties, beyond the not-insignificant task of serving as Superintendent, for which taxpayers are asked to pay an extra $15,000 annually?
A job description was promised. This author should very much like to see it.
To her many correspondents: your diligence is appreciated, even as it threatens to overwhelm her. 😂
Until next time,
Lady Budgetdown
#HemlockPublicSchools #FollowTheMoney #WithReceiptsAndRespect