The School Committee unanimously voted to extend the contract of interim Superintendent Michael F. Malone through December, paying him an annual salary of $90,000.

Committee Chairman Gregory D. Thomas said Malone’s salary represents a substantial savings to the district. Last year, former Superintendent Robert M. Sullivan earned $128,000 before taking a job in New Hampshire.

Malone, 61, retired from the Plainville school system with a $92,000 pension, and his earnings are capped at $90,000. According to the Massachusetts Teachers’ Retirement Board, public employees who work outside the state are allowed to collect their full pension, but those who work in state are limited to what they can earn before it affects their pension.

Malone has the flexibility to continue in the post through July 2012 if needed, but Thomas said a search for a permanent superintendent will soon begin.

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