School Board Extends Superintendent's Contract

The Meriden Board of Education unanimously voted to extend School Superintendent Mark Benigni's contract in an executive session meeting following the board's regular public meeting Tuesday night.

Currently finishing up his first year as superintendent, Benigni initially signed a three-year contract with a salary in the $160,000 range and annual wage increases of 2.3 percent. The school board voted to extend the contract for another year, with the salary for that year yet to be negotiated.

"We're very pleased with what Dr. Benigni has done in the district so far," said Board of Education President Mark Hughes.

Benigni has a bare-bones contract, according to Hughes. He is paid about $43,000 less than his predecessor, and has no perks whatsoever in his contract, making him one of the lowest-paid superintendents among comparable school districts, Hughes said.