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The Medford School Board has renewed Superintendent Brian Shumate’s contract for another three years, even as his current contract was not set to expire for another year. This is Shumate’s third contract as Medford’s superintendent since his hiring in April 2014. The contract superseded by Monday’s vote was set to expire July 2019. “Dr. Shumate has not only emerged as a leader in our community, but throughout the entire state,” said Michael Campbell, the board vice-chair. “The rest of Oregon has taken notice of all the great things happening in Medford.” The new contract initially keeps Shumate on a similar salary track as was outlined in the second contract that was superseded. His annual salary will reach $212,000 in the next year, followed by increases $222,000 and $230,000 in the following two years. Those $10,000 and $8,000 increases are the largest raises he has received during his time as Medford’s superintendent. He will also receive a $10,500 “retention incentive bonus,” the sum of which is parsed out over three years, with one-third paid at the end of each year of the contract if he is still employed by the district at that time. Board members pointed to district improvements as incentives to renew the contract early. One example they gave was a jump in graduation rates from 65.2 percent in 2014, before his arrival, to 78.07 percent in 2017. The district’s announced goal for itself was 80 percent graduation by 2017, a checkpoint in the pursuit of 90 percent graduation by 2020 and 100 percent graduation by 2025. The board also praised the Pathways class method Shumate ushered in that aims to help students find their way toward a career or college path that fits their interest. Board member Jeff Kinsella said that Shumate’s vision for the district is part of why he wanted to be on the School Board. “I think you need to stick around and see if your vision gets completed,” he said. Reach Mail Tribune reporter Kaylee Tornay at [email protected] or 541-776-4497. Follow her on Twitter @ka_tornay.