Travis Walker
By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief
LUDINGTON — Incoming Ludington Area School District Superintendent Travis Walker will begin his tenure July 1 with a higher base salary than his predecessor, but under a compensation package that shifts some benefits away from retirement contributions and toward performance incentives and longevity pay.
The Board of Education approved a three-year contract for Walker following its April vote to offer him the superintendent position after a statewide search.
Walker will receive an annual base salary of $185,000 during the 2026-27 school year, about 7.4% more than former Superintendent Kyle Corlett was scheduled to earn during the same period under his contract.
Corlett’s four-year contract, approved in 2023, called for a salary of $172,253 in 2026-27 and $173,975 in 2027-28, the final year of the agreement. Walker’s starting salary is $12,747 higher than Corlett’s scheduled 2026-27 compensation and $11,025 higher than Corlett’s final scheduled salary.
Future raises for Walker will be tied to performance evaluations. His contract provides a 2% salary increase if he receives an “Effective” rating and a 1% increase if he receives a “Developing” rating.
One of the largest differences between the two contracts involves retirement-related compensation.
Corlett’s contract provided an annual tax-deferred annuity equal to 12% of his salary. Walker’s contract begins with a district-funded annuity contribution equal to 5% of salary, increasing by 1 percentage point every two years to a maximum of 10%.
Walker, however, will receive longevity payments not included in Corlett’s contract. Beginning in July 2027, Walker will receive an annual longevity payment equal to 5% of his salary. The payment increases to 7.5% after six years of service and 10% after 10 years.
The new contract also includes several benefits not contained in Corlett’s agreement.
Walker will receive a $75 monthly cellphone stipend, while Corlett was responsible for his own cellphone expenses.
If Walker establishes residency within the school district, he is eligible for up to $10,000 in moving expense reimbursement.
Life insurance coverage has also increased. Corlett’s contract provided life insurance equal to his annual salary. Walker’s contract provides coverage of $400,000 or twice his base salary, whichever is greater.
Both contracts provide 25 vacation days annually, though Walker may receive payment for up to 10 unused vacation days each year. Corlett’s agreement allowed payment for up to five unused vacation days from the previous year.
Walker’s contract also contains more detailed provisions governing evaluations, disability leave, arbitration, health insurance contributions and termination procedures.
The new contract comes months after Corlett’s departure from the district. Corlett resigned effective Dec. 7, 2025, following controversy surrounding a $2.2 million accounting error identified by auditors.
In December, the Board of Education approved a separation agreement providing Corlett with a severance package totaling $425,327.08, payable in two installments.
Walker was selected by the board in April after emerging as one of two finalists in the superintendent search process. His contract runs through June 30, 2029.
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