Leader of new Michigan district receives lucrative contract

From The Detroit Free Press: The first chancellor of the new statewide special district for Michigan's lowest-performing schools could receive more than $1.5 million in salary and bonuses over his four-year contract, if he meets all performance targets. John Covington, the departing superintendent of the Kansas City (Mo.) School District, will be paid a $175,000 signing bonus and a $225,000 salary his first year as leader of the new Education Achievement Authority. His base salary grows to $325,000 in the second year. And if he meets yet-to-be-determined goals, he could make more than $425,000 in each of the last two years of the contract.

From The Detroit News: The new statewide Michigan school district designed to turn around failing schools has named the superintendent of Kansas City (Mo.) schools as its inaugural chancellor. The Education Achievement Authority executive committee voted unanimously to appoint John Covington to oversee the authority. Covington's four-year contract includes a $225,000 base salary and a $175,000 signing bonus. The EAA will take over the state's lowest performing schools and infuse them with greater attention and resources. Initially, 34 of the lowest-performing Detroit public schools will be in the new district in 2012-13.

From The Kansas City Star: The abrupt resignation of Kansas City (Mo.) school superintendent John Covington, as well as a school board member, has plunged the district into uncertainty. Missouri State Education Commissioner Chris Nicastro says Covington’s sudden resignation jeopardizes the district’s improvement plan with the state. The school district is provisionally accredited, but performance measures have put the district in danger of losing its accreditation. The state has withheld making a decision on accreditation while it works with the district on an improvement plan.

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From The Kansas City Star: Kansas City (Mo.) School Superintendent John Covington, who has led the district since 2009, has abruptly submitted his resignation. No reason has been given for the action, but some speculate the resignation may be related to ongoing tension between Covington and board president Airick Leonard West. Under Covington’s leadership, the school district has closed more than 40 percent of its school buildings.