The raise for deputy superintendent Kenny Southwick was among the last items approved at Tuesday's Shawnee Mission school board meeting.
The board unanimously voted to add another $34,500 to Southwick's compensation package as he steps into the interim superintendent role.
"I will continue to serve as the deputy but take on any of those duties so it's the superintendent’s position that you won't fill for this year," Southwick said at Tuesday night's meeting.
The deputy superintendent is paid $195,500 a year and receives a $9,000 allowance for car travel.
Former superintendent Jim Hinson announced his retirement in the spring and hasn't attended a public meeting or talked publicly about his decision to retire. Plans to find a new superintendent are in motion.
"So you have an opportunity to have those dollars available to spend as you choose this year and also offset the cost your search fees," Southwick said.
Some parents whose children attend the district took to social media to express outrage at the raise.
On Facebook, one parent wrote the money isn't well spent.
Southwick officially starts his role as interim superintendent on July 1.
