Iowa City school board to discuss Plugge's contract

IOWA CITY - The Iowa City school board has scheduled a special meeting for 8 a.m. Friday to discuss Superintendent Lane Plugge's job performance and contract.

That discussion will occur in closed session, as is allowed under Iowa law.

It is unclear if the meeting is part of the school board's regular evaluation of the superintendent. The meeting was not announced until this morning. State law requires governmental bodies to give at least 24 hours notice of most meetings.

School board members reached by The Gazette declined to comment on the specific purpose of the meeting. Toni Cilek acknowledged that the meeting was called at the last second and that the board typically takes action on Plugge's contract in the spring. Board President Patti Fields said in an e-mail message the superintendent's  job evaluation typically occurs in February.

Plugge interviewed Tuesday for a job with an Area Education Agency in Council Bluffs. He said he wants to be closer to his family in Nebraska.

Plugge interviewed for but did not get a job at a suburban Omaha, Neb., school district in 2007. Since then the board has given him positive reviews and extended his contract each year.

Plugge's current salary is $174,021 annually under a contract that runs through June 30, 2012.

Plugge was out of the office Thursday and did not immediately reply to an e-mail message.