EVERETT — The new superintendent in the Everett School District will make $261,000 a year, according to a three-year contract that was approved this week.
In May, the school board unanimously picked Ian Saltzman, the south region superintendent of The School District of Palm Beach County in Florida to lead Everett Public Schools.
Saltzman had spent his entire 29-year career moving up through the ranks in the Palm Beach County district, one of the largest school systems in the nation. He began as a middle school teacher and went on to become principal at four different campuses, before taking on higher-up administration jobs and finally being named a regional superintendent.
Now, he and his family will be moving across the country, from Florida to Snohomish County.
Saltzman will make about $40,000 more than the outgoing superintendent, Gary Cohn, did in his last year on the job.
But that doesn’t include how much the district is contributing to their retirement plans. Cohn had the district make payments equal to 12 percent of his annual salary for a deferred compensation plan, and another 13 percent put into a tax-sheltered annuity.
Saltzman will have the district make payments equal to 5.75 percent for each of those retirement plans.
His contract details other perks and benefits. He’ll get 34 days of vacation and 12 days of sick leave per year. Unused paid time off can roll over into the next year, but he can’t accumulate more than 40 days of vacation.
He’ll be given an $18,000 moving allowance, according to the contract. That’s more than usual, school board members noted in paperwork, but Saltzman is covering a lot of distance.
Cohn had an $18,500 retention stipend built into his last contract.
Saltzman will be reimbursed $700 a month for using his car, as well as $100 per month to pay for his cellphone.
Cohn did not get money for his car.
In his off-time, Saltzman is allowed to pursue consulting, speaking engagements, writing and lecturing.
Board members will review Saltzman’s contract once a year and will eventually consider whether to extend his stay.
They had chosen Saltzman out of a pool of 35 candidates. A statement said the board picked Saltzman because of his experience leading a large district, his history of improving schools’ academic standings and his ability to build relationships.
“There is an honesty and authentic connection he makes with people that will be a great benefit to our community,” board President Carol Andrews said in a statement.
According to the school board, Saltzman presented a 120-day plan that included a “significant amount of time spent listening and learning.”
The new superintendent’s first day on the job is July 1.
Zachariah Bryan: 425-339-3431; zbryan@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @zachariahtb.
