GLOVERSVILLE - New Gloversville Enlarged School District Superintendent Michael Vanyo has a four-year contract and will earn $159,000 per year for the first three years.
The Board of Education officially appointed Vanyo and announced the contract agreement with him Tuesday.
District officials said Vanyo's salary could increase in the fourth year.
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New Gloversville Enlarged School District Superintendent Michael Vanyo talks Tuesday at the school board meeting.
The Leader-Herald/John Borgolini
Vanyo also can cash in a maximum of three unused vacation days at $662.50 per day, adding $1,987 to his base salary, according to the agreement.
Vanyo, currently the superintendent for the Liberty Central School District in Sullivan County, will start working in Gloversville on Sept. 1.
Gloversville's previous full-time superintendent, Robert DeLilli, who left to work as the Johnstown school superintendent, would have been paid $128,457 in the 2011-12 school year.
Vanyo said he's excited for the opportunity to work in Gloversville and is ready to work on raising the graduation rate, which was at 54 percent in 2011 for students who graduated in June of their senior year.
"I'm thrilled that they offered me the position. I'm really excited," Vanyo said. "From everyone I met at Gloversville, I think it will be a really good fit for me and the district.
"One, I want to listen and get to know everyone in the district and in the community so I can focus on some of the programs [and] so I know some of the good things they're doing. One of the other things we'll be focusing on is the graduation rate."
Vanyo is no stranger to repairing graduation rates. In 2009, the graduation rate in the Liberty district was "around 55 percent." In the following two years under Vanyo's supervision, the district's graduation rate increased 15 points, to 70 percent.
"Mike has the experience that this school district needs to [raise] the graduation rate," said interim Superintendent Cliff Moses. "He comes with a track record, and we wanted the best person for Gloversville."
"It's important to remember we're here for the kids," Vanyo said. "I met the kids here, and they are great. I was here when they were giving tours at the end of school. [Board of Education President Pete Semione] and I were going through the halls, and kids were smiling and saying 'Hello.' They were well behaved, and I could feel a good vibe from all of the students. That's a good thing to see. I know there are a lot of good things going on here. If I could start tomorrow, I would."
Vanyo will continue working at the Liberty Central School District over the summer.