Liberty Local School District Superintendent Joseph Nohra this week took an extraordinary and selfless step to help secure financial stability of his school district.

Nohra will reduce his annual salary by $30,000 for the 2020-21 school year in an effort to avoid cutting school programs or staff because of district financial concerns.

Beginning July 1, Nohra’s earnings will dip from $113,000 per year to $83,000.

“There is no other place to go with making cuts. I am not cutting programs such as engineering and STEM, which benefit our students. I am not cutting school resource officers who provide protection for our students and staff. How can I cut teachers and classified staff and administrators and then keep my salary? That is not my style,” Nohra told the board during a regular meeting earlier this week.

Nohra, who has been with the district since 2017, also declined to accept a salary increase when his contract previously came up for renewal.

He said he understands the board wants to see cuts made and savings where possible in services and programs — so he decided it is best to start at the top.

“Teachers, administrative aides and school resource officers deal directly with our students. I felt as if cutting any of those positions and other programs that affect students was wrong,” Nohra said.

The $30,000 savings will allow the school district to help cover costs of part-time intervention assistants who work with special needs and other students who need help during the school day. In addition, other cuts are also being made in the district through things like shared services and co-op purchasing.

Nohra said he will continue to work the same number of hours as a full-time superintendent and offer the same commitment to the school district that he always has.

Also at the meeting, Nohra agreed to give back his mileage expense reimbursement for fiscal year 2020, which he estimates at $3,000 to $4,000.

Nohra’s generosity should send a message of commitment and service to the community. We encourage all public officials to eye it closely, consider it an example and then look in the mirror.

Is it possible for all government officials — especially during this global pandemic that is causing such financial hardship on households, businesses and government — to consider doing the same?

Government officials — particularly those who have been serving for years and years — often forget why they sought public life in the first place. Was it to offer up God-given talents in support of the public or to give back to the community where you live? Or was it simply to earn the big bucks and enjoy a lifetime of great health care and benefits?

If it was the former, then we encourage the same type of generous response.

Board President Calvin Jones said Nohra’s decision to take the pay cut “shows his commitment to the school district.”

We agree, and we salute him for his dedication and for this generous decision.

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