Arizona has a school superintendent problem. It’s not quite as big as the school superintendent problem they recently had in Des Moines, but we’ve definitely got one.
If you’re not familiar with former Des Moines Public Schools Superintendent Ian Roberts, here’s the CliffsNotes: fabricated college degrees, a history of weapons charges and a loaded firearm found in the car he used to flee from ICE agents in September. Seems “Dr.” Roberts had a standing immigration removal order.
If he’s able to avoid deportation to Guyana, maybe Roberts can teach traffic safety.
Arizona’s superintendent problem may have less international intrigue, but it’s still big. Specifically, it’s the big bucks going to the main honchos of some districts – big bucks for little bang, many tax-paying parents say.
ABC15 looked into administrative salaries in 88 different districts. Adding a base salary to their various packages of potential bonuses and perks, which is not easy info to get sometimes, they found more than a dozen Arizona school superintendents made – or potentially can make – more than $300,000 a year.
Tolleson Union High School District Superintendent Jeremy Calles is tops with a compensation package that could earn him more than $475,000 this year. Students don’t need to be proficient in math to realize that’s a lot of money.
But they may need a calculator for the perks and bonuses many superintendents receive: On top of six-figure salaries, 33 superintendent contracts had additional compensation totaling more than $50,000. That’s what the average Arizona worker makes in total compensation. Perks included phones, cars and even housing allowances.
State Representative Matt Gress (R-Phoenix), a former teacher, school board member and House Education Committee chairman, told me on KTAR he’ll introduce legislation to give more transparency to taxpayers regarding supe salaries and performance bonuses. He says the goals that unlock extra cash are often handed to school boards by superintendents, and “then the superintendent gets to come back and tell the board whether the superintendent met the goals or not.”
Other districts have supe issues, too.
The governing board of the Paradise Valley Unified School District (where my kids attend school) recently hired and essentially fired Superintendent Todd Cummings within a three-month time period, beating the district’s previous short-term record holder by a good 15 months. No official reason was given for Cummings being placed on administrative leave, but it might have had something to do with the grade inflation scandal at his previous superintendent job in South Bend, Indiana. In fact, he was on administrative leave from that district when PVUSD hired him.
Oh, well, at least we only hired him for a compensation package that’s a relative pittance: $280,400. And we only have to pay three months’ worth, right?
Eh, not so fact. When his predecessor left, PVUSD’s board paid off the remainder of his contract: more than $413,000. I’m guessing that they’ll pay Cummings off, too. Big bucks. No bang.
Des Moines had it easier. You don’t have to pay off deported superintendents.
Jim Sharpe is the host of Arizona’s Morning News on KTAR-FM 92.3 (weekdays 5-9 a.m.). Visit ktar.com to find more information about his on-air work.
