The Mercer Island School Board unanimously approved to amend Superintendent Dr. Gary Plano’s contract to include a 3.4 percent raise at its board retreat June 28 at City Hall.

The raise will go into effect July 1 through June 30, 2017. The approved agreement stated that the superintendent’s raise is consistent with the increase afforded to all other non-represented administrative personnel, including a one-time, 1 percent longevity step after 10 years of administrative experience in the district and an annual Technology stipend. Plano’s total compensation comes out to $221,290.

School Board President Ralph Jorgenson credited Plano for his work creating and implementing the elementary Spanish language program beginning in the district for the 2016-17 school year, as well as for creating and implementing late start Wednesdays at the high school in the fall, creating and launching the school district’s Pathfinder Awards recognizing the achievements of past Mercer Island grads, and the opening of Northwood Elementary, which will open its doors to students this fall.

“We’re extremely pleased with your progress and can confirm that you have capably and amply fulfilled your obligation under Washington state law,” Jorgenson said. “We agree that you have again far exceeded our expectations as superintendent of the Mercer Island School District for the past six months.”

“I have never worked with a higher quality, more dedicated group of professionals than I [do] today,” Plano said. “Thank you for those wonderful comments and all of the work that you’re recognizing me for. But I have to say that I work with extraordinary men and women, from every administrator and admin assistant, teachers and classified employees, and bus drivers and custodial folks.

“Everyone in the system has been truly a joy to work with and I appreciate all of their efforts to help us achieve the wonderful public education program that we have.”