The Lawrence school board Monday awarded Supt. Randy Weseman a three-year contract containing more than $140,000 in annual salary and benefits.

Weseman, entering his third year as the district’s top administrator, will receive an annual salary of $127,500. That paralleled the 5 percent increase in salary and health benefits given to all 1,900 district employees.

“I think it’s appropriate, given the year, that the superintendent’s contract reflects the same increase that we provided everyone else,” said Scott Morgan, board president.

He said it might be necessary in the future to grant Weseman more generous compensation increases than awarded district teachers and staff.

Under the new contract, Weseman receives additional compensation typical of Kansas superintendents.

Weseman’s contract was rolled over, which means he still has a three-year pact with the district.

In other business, the board:

voted to spend $472,000 on 460 new computers. The contract with Microtech Computers, Lawrence, provides 190 to Free State High School and 125 to Lawrence High School. The rest will be shared by principals, secretaries and other staff.

agreed to pay $105 an hour for legal advice in 2002-2003. By unanimous vote, the board retained Pete Curran of the Stevens & Brand firm in Lawrence. His rate increased $5 an hour.