OXFORD – SAD 17 directors voted Monday night not to extend Superintendent Mark Eastman’s contract beyond June 30, 2010.

“I was asked to extend my contract and I said I would appreciate it if you wouldn’t at this point,” said Eastman of the action taken in executive session Monday evening by directors.

Eastman, 63, is in his 14th year as superintendent and has served for several decades in education. He said that he told directors that he would prefer a six-to-12-month employment framework. “But I will honor the contract if they wish. I’m flexible. I’ll do whatever is best for the district.”

His eventual retirement wasn’t news to directors, but their action toward succession planning was was necessary.

“There needs to be a point. I need to make this transaction,” Eastman said. He said he’ll give a minimum six-month notice before leaving.

Committee members have routinely lamented Eastman’s expected retirement.

“It was with regret and deep respect that we honored his request not to extend his contract past 2010,” said board member Bill Hanger, who chaired the negotiation committee team.

In September, directors unanimously approved a 3 percent salary increase for Eastman saying not only does he deserve it, but the district must remain competitive when it begins to search for his replacement. Eastman’s salary was raised then from $100,000 to $103,000. It was Eastman’s fist pay raise in several years.

Directors also agreed to authorize Chairman Ron Kugell to set up a committee that may recommend a search committee be established, Eastman said. He recommended the committee finish its work and report back to directors in 30 to 60 days.

By state law, the superintendent’s contract has to be acted on by Dec. 31 and forwarded to the Department of Education’s commissioner’s office for certification.