AUBURN — Following an evaluation Wednesday night, the School Committee approved a three-year contract for Superintendent Katy Grondin and gave her a pay raise each year.

The 5-3 vote came after a job performance evaluation. Members Bonnie Hayes, Tracey Levesque and City Councilor David Young voted against the package. Members Thomas Kendall, William Horton, Francois Bussiere, Laurie Tannenbaum and Larry Pelletier voted in favor.

Grondin’s current salary is $115,000. The new contract will boost it to $121,000 over three years, with $1,000 more the first year, $2,000 more the second year, and $3,000 more the third year.

Next year’s $1,000 raise is less than 1 percent, well below the rate of inflation, committee Chairman Kendall said in an email Thursday. The second year’s raise is a 1.7 percent increase, the third year’s is a 2.5 percent hike.

“Relative to other school districts of comparable size, she is under compensated for the responsibility of her position,” Kendall said.

Board members differed on the level of compensation, Kendall said, but they were “unanimous in desiring to retain her as superintendent.”

Auburn residents are fortunate that she will be retained, Kendall said, praising Grondin for her energy, leadership and commitment to an excellent education for all students.

Levesque voted against, she said, because teachers are working without a contract, “residents of Auburn have not recuperated from a down economy, we had two failed school budget votes and we have many staff that are displeased under Katy’s leadership.”

If the district were at the end of the mass customized learning implementation and it proved successful, “then at that time she should be rewarded,” Levesque said.

The contract gives Grondin 100 percent paid health care, but no dental or life insurance. She gets mileage but no vehicle. The contract allows her to travel to one conference in three years, Grondin said.

She said she was pleased with her positive performance review and was looking forward to leading Auburn schools to provide a high-quality education for all students.

A former principal of the year and former assistant superintendent, Grondin was hired in 2011 at $110,000, replacing Tom Morrill. Grondin received a $5,000 raise in 2012, and no raise in 2013.

According to a Department of Education report, in 2013 the following cities paid their superintendents these salaries: Lewiston, $120,000; Biddeford, $118,000; Portland, $116,346; South Portland, $125,000; and York, $130,000.

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