JAY – School Committee members terminated several contracts Thursday due to budget cuts and approved salary increases for several administrators.

Those having contracts eliminated either at the end of the school year or Aug. 30 were: Linda Blakeman, half-time guidance counselor; Janet Wick, high school business teacher; Angela Smith, high school library clerk; Nathan Purrington, high school learning center educational technician; Kelly Lizotte, central office administrative assistant; and Brenda Adams, food service director.

The board also agreed to reduce high school auto technician teacher Maurice Bernier’s contract to half-time and evaluator Cindy Theriault’s contract to two-fifths.

Initially, a vote to terminate Blakeman’s contract failed in a tie vote with Chairman Clint Brooks and Vice Chairwoman Mary Redmond-Luce in favor of elimination and Tammy Dwinal-Shufelt and Nancy Chaney opposed.

After an explanation of high school Principal John Robinson picking up some of the guidance counselor’s duty and the school adding a substance abuse counselor if the budget is approved in June, Dwinal-Shufelt moved to revote, which was approved. The motion to terminate that contract passed 4-0.

Committee members approved 3 percent increases for nonunit employees in the 2007-08 school year.

Superintendent Robert Wall’s salary will increase from $85,982.34 to $88,786, which he said is $6,604.66 less than the western Maine region average for superintendent.

Business Manager Stacie Everett’s salary will increase from $56,650 to $58,349.50, which is $6,370 below the region’s average, according to a sheet presented to the committee.

Curriculum Coordinator Joe Makley’s salary will increase from $65,029.05 to $66,979.92, which is $4,307.95 less than the region average.

Transportation Maintenance Director Sue Weston’s salary will increase from $43,316 to $44,616.15, which is $6,514.35 less than the average in the region, the sheet states. That may be modified with a stipend if she picks up extra duties from the food service director’s job.

Other pay increases are for a repair technician II from $33,310.20 to $35,720.40, repair technician II from $19,360 to $21,300, special education administrative assistant from $21,582.88 to $22,230.36, and assistant/superintendent secretary from $20,840.63 to $26,424.