Boyle County Superintendent Mike LaFavers will return for a third term as the leader of the district, as the board voted to renew his contract Thursday night.

The contract was approved 4-1, with Board Member Ruth Ann Elliott casting a dissenting vote. No statement was given during the meeting regarding her vote. Efforts to reach Elliott for a comment were not successful by press time. 

After the meeting, LaFavers said he has always “felt supported” by Elliott and continues to feel that way, no matter the vote.

“I’m not sure why she voted that way, she gave me no explanation. I just want to say that she and I get along really well, she’s a good board member,” he said, adding that she always votes for the things that matter to the community and the students.

The contract is similar to last year, except it signifies that LaFavers will be paid the district mileage rate instead of the Internal Revenue Service mileage rate for driving his own vehicle; the district rate is the lower of the two, he explained to the board. That was a suggestion made by board attorney Stephen Dexter, LaFavers said.

“I bring to you all every month if I’ve travelled out of the county — I don’t charge for travel in the county,” LaFavers said.

Those expenses, he said, are voted on under the board’s consent agenda.

Board member Jesse Johnson said LaFavers had been “very helpful” to him. Johnson is in his second term on the board.

“You’ve taken us to new levels and maintained those levels like I never thought we could have. I’m extremely excited about this,” Johnson said. “Thank you for all you do.”

No other members spoke, but Chairwoman Jennifer Newby, and members Julie Jones and Steve Tamme joined him in voting yes.

LaFavers thanked the board for renewing the contract.

“I love living in Boyle County, I love working for this school district, for the families and children of the Boyle County Schools. I’m excited about the progress we’ve made, the progress we made when I was here as a teacher, then as a principal and now as a superintendent,” he said. “The progress we’ve made is because of a lot of people: the board of education, we’ve got great leaders in the schools, great staff, our kids — I think — are the best, unique, competitive. I love getting to serve them. Great families.

“This is the best community, I think, because they value education. I want to thank you all for having trust in me, having faith in me and giving me an opportunity to do this a third time.”

According to the Kentucky Department of Education, the salary for the Boyle County Superintendent position was $140,176 for the 2016-2017 school year. To see other superintendent’s wages across the state, visit education.ky.gov and go to the “districts” category to find personnel information,for superintendent’s salaries. 

LaFavers said his salary for the 2017-2018 year is to be $152,000, less than the average salary for superintendents entering their third contract, which is $152,800. This will be his ninth year as the district’s superintendent.

Follow Kendra Peek on Twitter, @knpeek.