By SANDY McGEE

CUMBERLAND — The School Committee approved a two-year extension to the superintendent’s contract during Thursday night’s meeting at the high school.

“It is with great honor that I motion to extend the superintendent’s contract for two years,” said School Committee member Robert C. Thibodeau before the vote.
School Committee member W. David Wagner seconded the motion with a recommendation to change language within the contract for Superintendent of Schools Donna A. Morelle.
The contract’s language was altered slightly to coincide with the renewal of teachers’ contracts.
“The language is tied to the Cumberland Teachers Association (CTA) contract,” Wagner said. “She won’t get a raise unless the CTA contract is renewed.”
The School Committee voted 4-3 to extend Morelle’s contract with members Donald Costa, Earl T. Wood and Karen MacBeth in opposition. The extension granted by the School Committee on Thursday night will now draw out Morelle’s contract until 2011.
“You earned it. You deserve it,” said School Committee Chairman Frederic Crowley to the superintendent.
Morelle thanked the committee for their support.
“I will remain committed to the challenges and ideals of this school system,” she said. “The timeframe of the contract is the same as the district strategic plan. I am glad to see this project through.”
Morelle has served as superintendent of schools since July 2005, when she and former School Committee Chairman Paul Neves signed a three-year contract.
Her contract was extended for one year in a closed-door vote, which was taken at an executive session meeting on Oct. 26, 2006, by the then out-going School Committee.
The current board voted 4-3 during a public meeting on Feb. 14 to approve the contract and salary. Opposing the contract’s approval were School Committee members Karen MacBeth, Costa and Wood.
During Thursday’s meeting, the School Committee also voted in approval of the superintendent’s annual objectives. The vote was 6-1 with Costa in opposition.