The contract that has brought Bruce Hibbard on as the new superintendent at New Albany-Floyd County Consolidated School Corp. had some school board members going outside their comfort zone.

The three-year contract gives Hibbard $152,000 a year, with a portion of that being deferred compensation going into retirement accounts.

Board members said that’s nothing new. What was different was no longer having the contract be “evergreen,” or having no end date, and providing Hibbard a monthly stipend of $2,000 for up to a year or until his home sells — whichever comes first.

Board President Roger Whaley said it was very hard for him to accept the new clause dealing with the monthly stipend for housing.

“We really wanted [Hibbard] here and united with his family as soon as possible and that was the only way to ensure we could do that,” Whaley said.

“The housing thing somewhat bothered me,” said Rebecca Gardenour, a board member.

Gardenour and Whaley talked to a representative with University Search Team — which helps districts find superintendent candidates — for advice and were told that having a housing stipend included in the contract seems to be something that is becoming the norm.

“Because of the economy, recently there have been superintendent contracts that have had such things in it,” Gardenour said. “Because of that I felt OK with that, especially with it being a year or whenever he sold [his] house.”

Hibbard also will get $10,000 once he moves to help pay for expenses related to relocating to Southern Indiana from the Indianapolis area.

“That’s what we felt would be an appropriate amount,” Gardenour said. “I think anymore it’s from $8,000 to $10,000 to hire a company and to move.”

Hibbard’s contracted salary will increase, following raises that are negotiated and approved for teachers, Whaley said.

Hibbard will use his own cell phone and vehicle for school use and will get a monthly stipend of $575 for doing so instead of having the corporation provide those for him.

Whaley said what New Albany-Floyd County is paying Hibbard is right in line with what other corporations of similar size are paying, with the exception of Greater Clark County Schools, which is paying Superintendent Stephen Daeschner $225,000 a year plus a number of benefits.

Hibbard’s salary does come in lower than New Albany-Floyd County’s previous superintendent, Dennis Brooks, who in 2008-09 made $165,595.

Whaley said the corporation was able to save money with Hibbard since he hasn’t been a superintendent before, adding that he does have experience as an assistant superintendent.

“Any money saved is good for our school corporation and good for our taxpayers,” Gardenour said. “It’s very competitive out there to get a good superintendent. I think Bruce Hibbard is one of those up-and-coming superintendents that we got just at the right time.

“I think we came up with a really good contract. I really do. I hope people are pleased about it.”

“I think it’s a very fair contract for Dr. Hibbard and for the school board,” Whaley said. “It gets [Hibbard] and his family down here in a timely manner and he has already started working.”

Either side can terminate the contract. If Hibbard decides to leave early, he has to provide at least 120 days notice to the board.

In case of total disability, loss of certification or conviction of a crime, Hibbard’s contract would end.

The board also can terminate the contract early for other reasons; however, the board would be required to pay Hibbard out for the time remaining in the agreement, Whaley said.