Elmbrook Senior Leader Turnover Continues While No Retirement on Horizon for Superintendent
Additionally, healthcare costs of Superintendent Mark Hansen's retirement may create an increasing burden on Elmbrook's self-funded plan.
Half of Elmbrook’s senior leader positions will be changing hands this summer after the public posting for a new Assistant Superintendent of Business Services. This follows the announcement in April of the departure of the Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning, Tanya Fredrich, who is taking the position of Monona Grove Superintendent. Tanya’s role will be filled internally by Emily Greiber, currently Director of Elementary Education.
Meanwhile, there is no indication that the potential retirement of Superintendent Mark Hansen, first announced in February 2023, will be coming soon.
Potential Retirement of Superintendent Mark Hansen
In February 2023, Board President Scott Wheeler announced that Superintendent Mark Hansen would be retiring in 2-3 years. He said that the upcoming retirement was one of the reasons he ran for re-election and that “this is possibly [Mark Hansen’s] last contract,” referring to the contract approved 2/21/23 by the district.
Talk of Mark Hansen’s retirement has continued in 2024, with board member Jean Lambert referencing“potential future superintendent selection” as one of her focuses.
Superintendent Contracts
On 2/20/24, the Elmbrook board approved a new two-year contract for Superintendent Mark Hansen that now extends through June 2026. His new annual salary has increased to $224,404 with a performance bonus up to 15%.
Changes between the 2023 and 2024 contracts include removal of ACT scores and Math & ELA (English Language Arts) ranking as metrics for his performance bonus. He also negotiated a $7,500 bonus in 2024 for a recent award that raised questions in the community.
In addition to the performance bonus changes, a longevity benefit shows a 10% increase in potential cost as well as an extension in years of duration. This benefit applies to healthcare expenses that ultimately Elmbrook taxpayers will be footing upon Mark Hansen’s retirement.
Longevity Benefit
The contract for Superintendent Mark Hansen permits him, upon retirement as early as age 55, to stay in the district’s group health insurance for 10 years.
In the 2023 contract, if Mark Hansen has been with the district for 14 years (which means an estimated retirement date after 7/1/2026), this longevity benefit will pay 75% of premiums for up to 7 years.
The 2024 contract increases these benefits up to 10 years and reduces his length of service by one year (which means an estimated retirement date after 7/1/2025). Additionally, if Mark Hansen retires after 7/1/2026 the district will now pay an additional 10% of his premiums - 85% versus 75% from his 2023 contract.
Community members have previously raised concerns about the generous healthcare benefits being extended to our Superintendent given that Elmbrook has a self-funded healthcare plan. This means that Elmbrook, and ultimately its taxpayers, bears the financial risk if claims for benefits from the plan continue to increase.
Increasing Healthcare Costs in Elmbrook
This extended benefit to Superintendent Mark Hansen may become a larger financial obligation as healthcare cost increases were raised at the 5/21/24 board meeting. During the review of the preliminary budget, it was noted that over the last 3 years, there was a $2,000,000 increase in Elmbrook’s heathcare costs, with the budget now allocating 10% towards these expenses.
If Elmbrook does not keep a close eye on expenditures and their potential impact, negative consequences such as reduced services and/or increased taxes may be borne by the community in upcoming years.