By SARAH PARKER (sarah@thecountyline.net)
County Line Editor
Royall’s board of education approved an agreement Monday with former Superintendent Mark Gruen to pay him $49,230 for 100 days of unused vacation time.
Board president Doug Waterman made the announcement after a closed session, noting that Gruen had accumulated throughout his 12-year tenure, which ended in May 2022.
Royall’s next step is to present Gruen with the agreement and obtain his signature.
Gruen received about 20 days a year for each year he was at Royall. In 2021, the board voted to extend his contract to May 2022, but not to renew it after that. Gruen has since become the superintendent at the Johnson-Creek School District.
Benson praises community
Speaking about the boys basketball team’s recent appearance in the state tournament, Superintendent Tom Benson lauded the district and community as a whole. He said, “Not only was that an exciting time for our team — the players, coaches, etc., everybody involved with the team — but obviously for our high school, for our entire school, and for our community. The excitement that was generated and the generosity that came from so many different angles throughout that whole process was just incredible.”
He noted that individuals, families and businesses had financially donated toward the state trip,
Other business
• The board approved Spanish teacher Kathleen Rall’s retirement.
• Three Royall youth wrestlers recently qualified for the state competition: Grant Krueger, Hunter Weber and Emerson Murray.