Girard schools chief getting pay bonus

GIRARD -- School board members are happy with the work performed by Superintendent Joseph Jeswald, and they are showing their appreciation with a pay bonus.
Jeswald said he will receive a bonus equal to 1.75 percent of his pay this fiscal year, and a second 1.75 percent bonus next fiscal year for a total bonus of 3.5 percent. The school's fiscal year runs from July 1 through June 30.
Jeswald currently earns slightly more than 82,000 annually. Bonuses for both years will be based on Jeswald's current earnings.
According to Jeswald, the superintendent's salary in Girard falls in the bottom third of superintendent compensation in the county, but that is not the only reason for the bonuses.
He said board members took into account his demonstrated ability to bring state and federal grants to the district, fairly negotiated teacher and nonteaching staff contracts and the district's excellent academic report card when agreeing to the bonuses.