BEND, OR -- The Bend-La Pine School Board will consider a one-year extension to the Superintendent's contract, at their Tuesday meeting. Shay Mikalson took over 11 months ago when Ron Wilkinson retired.

Board member Nori Juba says Mikalson approached the board, requesting the three-year contract and to be given the same 2.4% cost of living increase provided to teachers. "Shay wanted feedback from the board; he wanted to hear from the board that we're on board with his vision. He's been honest with us and said, 'look, what you want to do isn't going to happen overnight and I'm looking for a vote of confidence.' We felt it was more than deserved."

Juba tells KBND News the board is interested in keeping Mikalson on for a while. "The board felt that, one, given Shay's performance in the first year; he's done everything he said he would do. And then, being very pleased with his performance to date and our desire to have a Superintendent with us for the long-term, we felt it would be appropriate to extend him another year."

If approved at Tuesday night's meeting, Mikalson's base salary for the next year would be just under $172,000, and would take effect July first.