The Pine Bush Central School District Board of Education has unanimously approved a new contract for Superintendent of Schools Tim Mains, extending his service through June 30, 2024.

His current contract was set to conclude on June 30, 2022. The terms of the new contract largely follow the terms of his current contract. He will be paid an annual base salary of $218,500 with a two percent salary increase each year.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to continue the work we are doing here in Pine Bush,” Mains said. “I appreciate the confidence this board has shown in me with this decision.”

However, at Tuesday’s school board meeting an item on the consent agenda indicated that Mains was resigning for the purpose of retirement effective Aug. 6. Following the consent agenda was the reappointment of Mains as superintendent effective Aug. 10, 2020 through June 30, 2024.

“In essence I am taking this action to activate my retirement from the New York Teachers’ Retirement System (NYSTRS), something I have been eligible to do, without a salary cap, for roughly the past seven years,” Mains said. “The current COVID crisis has left me feeling that this was the best move in planning to protect my family.”

In the NYSTRS, activating retirement begins recurring payments to a retiree and if applicable, a surviving spouse but it prevents the retirement benefit from growing any further. It also avoids leaving a spouse with a single lump sum payment should the NYSTRS member die while still working.

Activating his retirement from NYSTRS will bring substantial benefit to the Pine Bush Central School District. Once his retirement from NYSTRS becomes effective, Pine Bush will no longer make mandatory account contributions for him.

Assistant Superintendent for Business Michael Pacella will serve as interim superintendent for the three days that Mains is technically retired. He noted that the district will save between $20,000 and $25,000 annually in retirement contributions because Mains is choosing this path. Overall, this will add up to between $80,000 and $100,000 over the life of Mains’ new contract.

Since becoming superintendent in March 2017, Mains has made many improvements to the district. He led the development of the strategic plan, which establishes guidelines for how the district can serve the needs of each student. He has drastically improved security within the district, bringing in armed, uniformed police officers in every school. In addition, he has conducted active shooter and other emergency drills. Mains has also established an anonymous tip line for staff, students and parents.

In 2019, Pine Bush High School was ranked high by the U.S. News & World Report. Out of a review of more than 23,000 public high schools, 17,000 were ranked. Pine Bush High School was ranked 4,849.

One of Mains’ goals moving forward is to continue implementing the district’s strategic plan. This plan includes four domains used to prepare students for the world once they leave the district.

He is eager to continue to lead the district as its superintendent.

“The bottom line is I love working here in Pine Bush and will continue to do so as long as I have my health,” Mains said. “I want to continue collaborating with all of my colleagues to make a difference in the lives of our children here in Pine Bush for years to come.”