By Jackie Burrell, Contra Costa Times, July 6, 2004

Even as classrooms and libraries across the region have seen cutbacks and a flurry of pink slips, some school superintendents have been riding a market-driven gravy train.

The superintendent of Oakland's troubled school district got a 72 percent pay hike between 1998 and 2003, when the state took over the district.

Orinda's superintendent salary went up 74 percent in the last five years. And by the time Moraga's Rick Schafer hits the second year of his new deal for 2004 to 2006, the district will be paying 78 percent more for its top schools chief than it did in 1998.

Sources: California Department of Education, California Teachers Association

Search for schools chief competitive

By Helen Gao, San Union-Tribune, April 1, 2005

As the San Diego Unified School District embarks on its search for a successor to Superintendent Alan Bersin, it faces competition from nine urban districts throughout the nation that also are looking for school chiefs.

The San Diego school board learned what it was up against yesterday during a presentation by Michael Casserly, executive director of the Council of the Great City Schools, a coalition of 65 of the nation's largest urban education systems.

"Most (of the competing districts) started their search in mid-to late January – a month or two head start on you," said Casserly, who gave the board advice on the nuts and bolts of finding a superintendent.

San Diego Unified announced the June 30 departure of Bersin on Jan. 27. The school board has not yet selected a head-hunting firm to help recruit candidates.

Six companies and the California School Boards Association have submitted recruitment proposals, seeking fees ranging from $40,000 to $90,000 – within the market range of $40,000 to $100,000 set by the council of big-city districts.

Casserly said the districts in competition with San Diego are: Dallas; Denver; Buffalo, N.Y.; Fresno; Jacksonville and Hillsborough County, Fla.; Pittsburgh; Providence, R.I.; and Indianapolis.

Recruitment help

Six companies and the California School Boards Association have submitted bids to recruit the next superintendent for the San Diego Unified School District. They are:

• Executive Search Services, the California School Boards Association, West Sacramento
• Cascade Consulting Group of Bellevue, Wash.
• Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates Ltd. of Glenview, Ill.
• R.J. Watkins & Co. Ltd. of San Diego
• International Group Education Services Inc. of Visalia
• RBL Enterprises of Oakland
• Hamilton, Rabinovitz & Alschuler Inc. of Carmel

San Diego is most likely to compete directly with Dallas, Jacksonville and Hillsborough County because of their similar size and demographics.

Casserly said it's not unusual to have this many districts trying to fill superintendent vacancies simultaneously. He said there have been times when as many as 20 such vacancies were open at the same time.

Nonetheless, he said, San Diego's chances of attracting talent are considered good.

"I think this community is going to get lots of candidates. It's a very attractive community," Casserly said. "It plays on a national stage."

Casserly's main advice to the school board was that it come together to develop a unified vision before launching a search. Without a clear sense of direction, the board would hurt its chances of attracting the best candidates and finding the right person, he said.

He suggested the board ask such questions as: Does it want wholesale change or to build on existing reforms? Does it want a superintendent who is a good administrator versus one who is a good instruction leader? Does it want a leader who centralizes decision-making or someone who leaves decision-making to school sites? Does the district want a leader with a traditional education background or someone from another field?

Trustees have held two retreats for in-depth discussions about the district's future. They will hold a third retreat today to fine-tune their goals and objectives.

Generally, the school board has expressed a desire to make changes. However, what kind of changes and how sweeping the changes should be are the subjects of intense debate.

The board plans to hold a series of community meetings this month to gather input on what criteria should be used to select San Diego's next superintendent. Dates for the meetings have not been announced.

New superintendent may be hired by fall

By Maureen Magee, San Union-Tribune, July 6, 2005

After receiving 50 résumés from prospective superintendents, the San Diego school board will begin interviewing its top applicants today in anticipation of hiring a new chief by September.

Résumés from would-be superintendents came from 23 states and Pakistan.

The consulting firm conducting the search presented the board with its top 12 choices yesterday. The board met in closed session, eliminated some names and agreed to interview an undisclosed number of candidates.

Trustees will meet briefly in open session at 9 a.m. today and tomorrow at Horton Plaza's Lyceum Theatre and then immediately go behind closed doors to hold interviews. The board decided to keep the proceedings and names of candidates confidential to protect the privacy and current employment of applicants.

In preparation for today's interviews, consultants hired to conduct the superintendent search coached trustees on how to handle themselves – with the media, the public, the candidates and each other. Despite the setting, consultants are hoping to avoid the brand of theater once synonymous with the school board.

"They are going to interview you as much as you are going to interview them," consultant William Attea told trustees yesterday. "Best behavior . . . there has been a lot of press about the board."

The San Diego Unified School District needs a new superintendent to succeed Alan Bersin, who took office as state education secretary Friday after seven years as the city schools chief. Shortly after Bersin lost his voting majority on the board with the election of three new trustees in November, the board bought out Bersin's contract a year early.

Trustees decided months ago that their preference was to hire an educator who believes in a "well-rounded curriculum" that includes fine arts, performing arts, sports and real-world learning opportunities for students. In addition, their ideal superintendent would possess "communication skills that honestly reflect respect for the view of others."

Trustees have yet to determine the next superintendent's salary. However, Attea said, to be competitive the district would offer a compensation package of about $250,000, "but if they fell in love with a candidate they might go to $300,000."

These days, he said, packages for big-city superintendents often include monthly housing allowances or agreements to pay the difference between existing and new mortgages.

Bersin earned a base salary of $189,500. His contract included annual bonuses, from $25,000 to $35,000, that were tied to meeting specific professional goals – in addition to retirement compensation.

The Chicago-based consulting firm, Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates Ltd., advised some of the applicants in advance to reserve plane tickets to San Diego in anticipation that trustees would accept the firm's advice.

Of the 50 applicants, 19 are from California, 30 are from 22 other states and one is from Pakistan. Thirty-eight are men, and 12 are women. Twenty-nine have worked as a superintendent and four as an assistant or deputy superintendent, while 17 have experience as a college professor, principal or other professional.

Thirty-five of the applicants have doctoral degrees, and 17 have master's degrees. Seventeen are white, 10 are black, 10 are Latino, three are Asian and the others have multiple or unspecified ethnicities.

The interviews will be scripted and cover 12 questions, issues or hypothetical situations. Each interview will last about two hours.

Attea advised the board to interview five candidates this week and invite three of them back for a second round next week. Under his proposed schedule, the finalists would receive district tours by two trustees, plus lunch with two trustees, dinner and an interview with the board.

Attea also advised trustees to refrain from discussing the candidates with each other until they have interviewed all of them.

When trustees begin evaluating the applicants, Attea has suggested the model used on the reality television show, "Survivor."

"Do not ask each other who you prefer," he told trustees during an interview workshop on Tuesday. "Ask which four or five you would least likely hire, making the others acceptable until you vote them off the island."

Consultants compiled a 21-page leadership profile after conducting 48 focus groups, community meetings and individual interviews last month. More than 500 people, from teachers to parents, gave input and completed surveys to show what qualities they wanted in a superintendent and what they saw as the most important issues facing the district.

After last night's closed-session evaluation of candidates, board President Luis Acle said the trustees were "working well together and enthusiastic about the process."

July 13, 2005 Update

The San Diego school board voted unanimously Tuesday on a successor for Alan Bersin as superintendent of California's second-largest school system. The 5-0 vote came after a whirlwind week of candidate screenings and interviews.

But the suspense is not over yet.

The San Diego Unified School District will not reveal the identity of its next chief for two weeks while trustees negotiate a contract with the board's selection.

July 23, 2005 Update

Carl Cohn, who garnered national acclaim for turning around the Long Beach school system, will become San Diego's next superintendent.

The selection of Carl Cohn is set to be announced today. The San Diego school board is expected to make the announcement at a news conference today, putting an end to a superintendent search process criticized by some as too secretive.

Trustees announced 11 days ago that they had unanimously chosen a superintendent but, in an unusual move, withheld his identity pending contract negotiations.

The San Diego school board has recently dismantled portions of his signature "Blueprint for Student Success," including eliminating key personnel installed by Bersin to boost teacher training.

It's unclear whether Cohn will scrap what remains of the blueprint or build on it. Bersin and some school board members have said they hope the new superintendent would refine the work already in place.

The new superintendent will work for a board of five bosses perceived by some education experts as micro-managers or mini-superintendents.

Glenn board of education OKs raise superintendent granted himself

By Barbara Arrigoni, Chico Enterprise, Ocotber 19, 2007

WILLOWS — Past practice trumped state law Wednesday when the Glenn County board of education voted 3-2 to approve a pay increase the superintendent of schools gave himself last spring without board approval.

The California Education Code and an article of the state Constitution gives the board of education sole authority to set a superintendent's salary and raises.

But Superintendent Arturo Barrera gave himself a 4-percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in April, along with deputy superintendents. Other employees got 8 percent increases.

At the meeting Wednesday, there was much discussion about past practice, in which former superintendent Joni Samples got approval by the board to get COLA increases along with union and nonunion employees, without coming to the board each year for approval.

Some of the questions raised over the pay increase centered on whether it was a COLA or a pay raise. When the board set Barrera's salary last January, members said they would discuss possible pay raises in the future.

Discussion was scheduled for summer, but was tabled because one board member wanted more information and time to study what was provided. It wasn't discussed at later meetings because there were no quorums.

The brunt of responsibility for paying the raise in the first place fell on the Human Resources Department. Merrillee Johnson said she didn't know whether it was legal, but relied on "past practice."

But member Linda Miller said past practice didn't apply because Barrera is a new superintendent and he needs the board's approval.

Board President Julia Larson said the California Constitution states the board sets the superintendent's salary.

Although many in the audience at the meeting supported the board now giving Barrera the raise, one person continuously entreated the board to follow the law.

Willows Unified School District Trustee Sherry Brott read a letter she wrote to the board that told of a conversation she said she had with Barrera, in which he allegedly admitted he gave himself the increase and had knowledge beforehand of the education code prohibited that. Brott asked the board to require Barrera to return the money.

Brott said the issue was not personal, but that Barrera should be accountable for his action, which was against the state code.

Board member Ray Gollnick again brought up the issue of past practice and that Samples hadn't brought COLA increases to the board.

Brott said she wasn't concerned with what occurred with Samples, but with the law.

"Stick to ed code, follow it now, follow it in the future," Brott said.

Gollnick later said Barrera was getting "slammed for no good reason," and asked the board not to get stuck on the issue.

"It would be a shame to get hung up on a thing (that was) done in innocence," Gollnick said.

Before a motion was given, Larson said she agreed that there had been a violation of the ed code and state constitution.

"We, as members (who) are voted into office, have to be mindful of when these violations occur," Larson said. Later, she said, "As board members, it is something we will be held accountable for ... you can bet on it."

The raise was approved 3-2, by Gollnick, Catherine Hanes and James Mason. It's retroactive to Jan. 8.

Victorville Trustees Cut Salary Deal 25%

By Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, July, 2005

Hoping to prevent a recall, Victorville school trustees renegotiated their contract with the district's longtime superintendent, cutting the value of the four-year deal by a quarter to slightly less than $1 million.

But the action, taken late Wednesday, did not assuage some parents and teachers who were outraged by Supt. Ralph Baker's compensation package, which was on a par with that of school chiefs in Los Angeles and New York City.

Some critics, pointing to program and budget cuts within the district, questioned whether Baker could effectively continue to lead the Victor Elementary School District.

"This new contract may have cost us less dollars, but it cost us quite a bit in morale," said Deanne Ellison, president of the Lomitas Elementary School Parent Teachers Assn. She said teachers and parents planned to meet in coming weeks to decide whether to go forward with a recall attempt.

In April, district trustees approved a contract that would increase Baker's $140,000 pay to $250,000 per year, offer him a one-time $200,000 bonus Aug. 1, annual $10,000 raises and lifetime health and dental benefits for him and his wife.

Baker, 55, has headed the High Desert district for more than two decades.

Under the renegotiated contract, Baker will be paid $185,000 starting today, $200,000 the second year and $220,000 the third year. The fourth year, Baker's pay drops back to $185,000, but he will have to work 31 fewer days. He also will receive a $140,000 bonus Aug. 1, and medical and dental benefits until he and his wife reach 65.

"It was an outstanding compromise," Baker said. "The board listened to the community, and I listened to the board and we get a 5-to-0 vote showing strong support of this contract."

Some teachers and parents say they were pleased to see a reduction, but still considered Baker's contract lavish compared with the 2% to 4% raises teachers have received in recent years.

Salaries of school chiefs soar nationally

By Pablo Lopez, Fresno Bee, Janyary 21,2008

Fresno Unified trustees came under fire this month for abruptly boosting schools chief Michael Hanson's pay by more than one-third. But many recruitment experts say the laws of supply and demand gave them little choice.

As school boards nationwide struggle to hire good superintendents in an increasingly competitive job market, Hanson's salary hike -- up 35% to $277,000 -- appears to be in line with what other top administrators make in large school districts, they said.

"He's a hot prospect, quite marketable," said Henry Duvall, spokesman for the Council of the Great City Schools in Washington, D.C. "He could have easily jumped ship."

Duvall knows Hanson's reputation because Fresno is a member of the council, a coalition of the nation's 66 largest school districts. Fresno Unified is the nation's 39th largest school district.

Adding to the sense of urgency, trustees were aware that the San Diego Unified School District is searching for a superintendent -- and offering $250,000 a year.

While Hanson says he wasn't a candidate for the San Diego job, trustees feared he might be recruited away if they didn't give him a raise. That was a major factor in their decision to boost his annual salary from $205,000.

Trustees Tony Vang, Janet Ryan, Manuel Nunez and Michelle Asadoorian approved Hanson's pay package, which the district said amounts to about $336,700 a year, counting benefits.

Not all the trustees supported the raise. Carol Mills and Valerie Davis voted no, calling it excessive.

The raise drew heavy criticism from some teachers and others for being far out of proportion to salary increases granted in recent years to district employees. In December, the Fresno Teachers Association accepted a 5.5% pay raise retroactive to July 1, 2006, and a 2.5% pay increase retroactive to July 1 last year. A pay raise for the teachers next school year hinges on the state budget.

"It's outrageous," teachers union chief Larry Moore said. "No one should be getting that high of a raise."

Moore said Hanson already was getting a fair wage. If trustees believe Hanson deserved a raise, then he should have received the same pay hike as teachers.

But experts who monitor salaries of top school leaders say that's not realistic. Superintendent pay has jumped across the nation.

According to a survey by the Council of the Great City Schools, the average salary for superintendents of the 66 largest school districts rose 20% between 1997 and 2006 -- from $172,948 to $207,547. And the 2006 salaries ranged from $140,000 to $305,000.

Fresno isn't the only place where superintendent pay is an issue.

In North Providence, R.I., a school trustee resigned in May after a divided board voted to give its superintendent, who was making $107,000, a series of three raises -- totaling 22% -- over three years.

And in Elgin, Ill., parents and teachers complained and a school board member resigned when School District U-46 in April gave its superintendent a $60,000 salary increase, bringing his pay to $262,373. The district has more than 40,000 students.

The pressure for big pay raises has developed because of the unique job market for superintendents, who often become lightning rods for public criticism.

"It's not an easy job," said Paul Houston, executive director of the American Association of School Administrators in Arlington, Va. "You have to take a lot of abuse, because you're blamed for everything, whether it's your fault or not."

Job stress contributes to high turnover rates for superintendents, observers say. The average tenure for a superintendent in a large district is just three years, according to Duvall.

Nationally, the average age of a superintendent is increasing, Houston said. Five years ago, the average was 51. Today, it's 56. That means more of them are closer to retirement -- increasing the competition for the best prospects, he said. And the pool of top candidates isn't keeping up with demand.

All of this is driving up superintendents' salaries to $250,000 or more, he said.

Some critics have pointed out that Hanson's pay now exceeds that of other top government officials -- including the governor, who makes $212,179. Gov. Schwarzenegger doesn't accept the money.

Even among school districts, however, exact pay comparisons are difficult to make. The difficulty of any given superintendent job, along with the size of the district and the local cost of living, all can be factors.

Board President Tony Vang said it was his idea to give Hanson a raise, partly because the superintendent helped end a bitter contract dispute with the teachers union.

He also noted that Hanson hadn't received a raise since he was hired as superintendent in July 2005.

At last week's board meeting, trustees noted that Hanson was making less than Terry Bradley, his counterpart at Clovis Unified School District: $215,000. Clovis, with 37,000 students, is far smaller than Fresno Unified, which has 73,760.

Long Beach Unified School District, which is more comparable to Fresno Unified with 88,474 students, pays its superintendent $227,708.

In the end, trustees said they were forced to face facts. If they didn't pay up, Hanson could be a prime target for recruitment. While Hanson never used the San Diego job as a bargaining chip, trustees said it was on their minds.

"In this business, you can't be penny-wise and pound-foolish and risk losing our leader," said trustee Ryan.

Hanson has many of the attributes that recruiters like.

When he took the helm, Fresno Unified was failing financially and academically. Now, Hanson is credited with improving test scores and bringing financial stability and credibility to the state's fourth largest school district.

Hanson is relatively young, 42, energetic, works long hours and appears to have vision -- all reasons to try to hold on to him, Houston said.

Superintendents work long hours, often sacrificing time from their families, he said. And the job can be frustrating.

"You're being asked to make sure every child is proficient even when you don't have the resources to do that," he said. "Many professionals are saying it's just not worth it."

Hanson has said he doesn't feel that way.

After trustees gave him the raise, he said he was committed to the children in Fresno Unified and planned to stay until he retires.

That kind of attitude is one reason Nunez said he fought to hold on to Hanson. Nunez said he even went so far as to call his friends on the San Diego school board when he heard Hanson was rumored to be a candidate.

Said Nunez: "I told them to keep their hands off him."