By Tim SchmidtRecord Managing EditorWarren County R-III Superintendent Dr. Jim Chandler’s contract has been extended through the 2017-2018 school year.Under the new contract, approved by the school board in January, Chandler’s annual salary will increase to $185,220 during the 2016-2017 school year and jump to $194,481 in the 2017-2018 school year.This is the first contract extension for Chandler, who is a 1986 Warrenton High School graduate, since being hired by the district in 2013.He is currently being paid $175,000 annually, the second year of his original three-year contract. His base salary was $170,000 when he joined the district, with his salary to increase by $5,000 per year through the 2015-2016 school year, according to the contract.“I am very pleased and happy with the contract,” Chandler told The Record. “I feel we are heading in the right direction. The progress we’re making we feel is a benefit to the district now and into the future.”Under Chandler’s leadership, the R-III district showed strong gains in the MSIP 5 Annual Performance Report (APR) scores released in August by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.R-III climbed to the top 20 percent of the most improved districts with a 6.1 percent increase in its overall score compared to the previous year. The increase exceeded the district’s goal by 3 percent.Also, the district has reported an increase in attendance and a drop in discipline in Chandler’s tenure.“We want people to feel like they can talk to us,” Chandler said. “What we’re trying to build is transparency and trust. We want to do this the right way.”Before coming to the R-III district, Chandler was superintendent of the Winfield R-IV School District in Lincoln County for four years. He also spent nine years in various administrative positions and an additional 12 years as a teacher and coach.Chandler replaced Dr. Tom Muzzey, who left the district to become superintendent of the Orchard Farm School District in St. Charles County.Dr. Jim Chandler