The Roanoke School Board has approved a four-year contract with incoming Superintendent Rita Bishop that will pay her $160,000 a year along with other financial benefits.

Bishop takes office Aug. 1 under the terms of the contract, but will be paid $615 per day for days worked prior to her official start date.

Bishop and school board Chairman David Carson signed the contract Thursday night. In addition to the salary, the contract provides: $10,000 a year for a tax-sheltered annuity; a $500 a month car allowance; and the same health and retirement benefits provided to 12-month employees of the school division.

Bishop is leaving a job as superintendent of the school district in Lancaster, Pa., when she has been paid $167,000 a year. She had previously served as associate superintendent for instruction in Roanoke before leaving at the end of former Superintendent Wayne Harris’ 11-year tenure.

The city school board announced the hiring of Bishop June 22. She follows Marvin Thompson, who negotiated an end to a tumultuous two years in the office after his relationship with the school board soured when board members learned Thompson had secretly applied for a job in Florida.

Thompson was paid $140,000 a year. Unlike Bishop, Thompson did not have a doctorate. Harris earned $149,735 a year.