Contract will pay new Stanwood superintendent $250K a year

STANWOOD – The incoming leader of Stanwood-Camano School District will earn a salary of $250,000 a year under a contract set to be approved Tuesday.

Deborah Rumbaugh, who will assume the reins as superintendent July 1, has signed the agreement that the district’s Board of Directors will consider in its 1 p.m. meeting.

The proposed contract is almost identical to the pact with Superintendent Jean Shumate, who will retire at the end of the month after 20 years at the helm of the district. Shumate is making $263,124 in her final year.

It spans three years. Under the terms, the board may adjust the base salary in the second and third years, “taking into consideration any inflationary increases authorized and funded” by the Legislature. In the event of a levy failure, the agreement “will be reopened” by the board to discuss the superintendent’s total compensation package.

Rumbaugh will receive 12 days of sick leave and 30 days of paid vacation — the same as Shumate.

Also, like the outgoing leader, Rumbaugh will be required to undergo a “comprehensive medical examination” every other year. When completed, the physician must submit a statement to the board “certifying to the physical fitness” of Rumbaugh to carry out the duties of the job.

If Rumbaugh is terminated for cause, she would not be entitled to any severance pay. But if the board ends the contract without cause during the term, Rumbaugh will be entitled to a year’s worth of salary and benefits as severance.

School board members unanimously chose Rumbaugh May 14. She was one of 23 candidates who sought to lead the district, which has an enrollment of roughly 4,400 students in kindergarten through 12th grade. It operates 10 schools: five elementaries, three middle schools and two high schools.

Rumbaugh, 51, is currently executive director of instructional leadership in the Highline School District in Burien. She is also the area supervisor of secondary schools, which is equivalent to an assistant superintendent post.

She is a native of Tacoma and a product of Bellevue public schools. Her husband, Wayne, is a high school teacher in the Auburn School District. He grew up in Marysville and at one point in his career taught in the Marysville School District. The couple have nine grown children.

Tuesday’s meeting begins at 1 p.m. in the district’s Administration & Resource Center, 26920 Pioneer Highway in Stanwood.

It can be viewed via Zoom. A link can be found on the school district web site, www.stanwood.wednet.edu.

Residents can attend in-person, though seating is limited. Those who do must wear a proper face covering, maintain social distancing, have their temperature taken and complete a health screening attestation. Also, information will be collected to assist public health authorities with contact tracing, if necessary.

Reporter Jerry Cornfield: jcornfield@heraldnet.com; @dospueblos