Austin Public Schools Superintendent David Krenz is doing a good job, according to the Austin Public School board.

The board released its evaluation of Krenz Monday night and ratified a three-year contract, which increases his salary from about $136,000 last year to $139,359 this year, a 2.5 percent increase.

Krenz’s salary will increase by about 2 percent each year, to $142,843 for the 2013 school year and $145,700 for the 2014 school year. The board reserved the right to negotiate Krenz’s salary in 2015 based on his future evaluations.

“We need to make sure we pay fairly, like anybody does, and that we keep up with the market,” said board chairman Aaron Keenan.

The contract comes after the board examined other districts in the Big 9 conference, as well as schools with similar student and teacher populations, among other factors. Keenan said Krenz’s salary is in the median compared to other like districts and board members. The board made minor changes to Krenz’s contract for language and legal definitions, according to Keenan.

Krenz is the first superintendent in several years to stay in Austin for longer than two years. Keenan said he was glad Krenz has stayed with the district, as Keenan remembered a statistic from when he first joined the board that the average superintendent stays in a district about two and a half to three years.

“I said to myself, ‘If we have a good leader, I want to make sure we beat that average,’” Keenan said.

Krenz was pleased with the review.

“You always feel good” in getting a positive review, Krenz said.

School board accepts $1K

The Austin Public School Board accepted more than $1,000 in donations from local organizations this month.

Our Savior’s Lutheran Church donated $475 to the district’s food and nutrition services department for the healthy snack cart program in elementary schools.

Southgate Elementary School’s Parent Teacher Committee donated $1,158 to Southgate for recess equipment.

Albert Lea Steel donated metal valued at $200 to Austin High School’s welding class as classroom supplies.

Board members’ last meeting

The Austin Public School board meeting Monday night was the last one for members David Ruzek and Diana Wangsness. Both members are leaving their seats and were recognized for their work on the board.

Greg Larson and Angie Goetz will be sworn in as board members in January.