At the annual superintendent's evaluation Oct. 15, Superintendent Neil Pedersen, Assistant Superintendent for Instructional Services Denise Bowling, Assistant Superintendent for Support Services Todd LoFrese and Chief Technology Officer Ray Reitz petitioned the school board to forego their annual bonuses in light of the economic downturn.

The senior leadership team members were each eligible to receive a bonus for up to $12,000 this year, according to terms of their contracts.

Because of economic considerations facing the entire school system, the board granted the administration's request.

"Our community, state and country have been experiencing one of the worst economic downturns since the Great Depression. Teachers and administrators did not receive North Carolina ABC [state standardized tests] bonuses nor did they receive pay raises," school board Chairwoman Lisa Stuckey said.

The school district must work with a nearly $4 million reduction in state and local funding this year.

For the second year in a row, the school board did not vote on Pedersen's contract, according to board member Jamezetta Bedford. Pedersen's contract with the school district expires in 2011 and many years, the board has extended his contract as part of the evaluation process, even when the contract was not up. The board must vote on Pedersen's contract in October 2010.

Pedersen has been superintendent of the high-achieving system for 17 years, the longest currently serving superintendent in the state, according to the Department of Public Instruction.

School board members declined to discuss Pedersen's performance, citing confidentiality laws that protect school personnel.

Fifteen of 17 Chapel Hill-Carrboro schools made federal adequate yearly progress standards last year. Scores for end-of-grade and end-of-course exams also rose.

"We had many successes that I attribute to the incredible staff in our schools and central office. I declined the bonus that my contract calls for due to the financial position of the district and the fact that other employees received no salary increases and incentive bonuses," Pedersen said. "We're all in this together."