Give Lawrence school board members credit for hitting the pause button on moving Superintendent Kyle Hayden into a new position of chief operating officer.

The board had been scheduled to approve a new contract for Hayden Wednesday night with little to no advance public discussion. The move initially was announced May 11 with little explanation other than Hayden would move into the new COO position to oversee the recently passed $87 million bond issue. Board members had steadfastly refused to discuss Hayden’s new salary or the reasons behind the sudden change in advance of Wednesday’s meeting.

But faced with public criticism, board members rightly called for greater transparency before approving the transition.

“I believe the timing and transparency around the creation of the new COO position could have been better,” board member Vanessa Sanburn said. “Overall, I agree that this plan seems well thought-out and beneficial for our district. However, I would like some more time to review the plans and understand how this position fits into those plans before voting on it. I’d also like to give the community the opportunity to provide feedback.”

Board President Marcel Harmon apologized for rushing the decision and supported postponing action until Monday.

At Wednesday’s meeting, board members revealed Hayden’s proposed COO salary: $150,000. Hayden is wrapping up the first year of a two-year contract that pays him $205,000 annually as superintendent. If approved, his COO contract would start July 1.

Hayden did not attend Wednesday’s meeting, but district officials went into some detail explaining the move. In 2013, after the passage of the district’s $92.5 million bond issue, the district hired a bond construction manager to oversee the projects. Hayden, then the assistant superintendent of business and operations, assisted that bond manager. As COO, Hayden would take on the role of construction manager for the recently approved $87 million bond issue and supervise the district’s department of facilities and operations. Hayden’s new role would not have an impact on the budget, school officials said, as the district plans to consolidate some unfilled positions.

Questions still linger, such as whether it would be appropriate for the district to post the COO position and allow Hayden to pursue it after resigning as superintendent. Such an approach would eliminate the perception that the move was worked out in secret before Wednesday’s meeting.

At least by postponing action until Monday’s board meeting, the school board has given the public an opportunity to address the issue. More transparency is always a good thing.