Monroe’s interim superintendent hired at $260K

Marci Larsen is set to lead the school district for 2022-23.

Marci Larsen

Marci Larsen

MONROE — The Monroe School District’s interim superintendent starts next week on a year-long contract for just more than $260,000.

On Monday night, the school board unanimously approved Marci Larsen’s contract for the 2022-23 school year. Larsen starts Aug. 15, and the contract extends through June 30, 2023. During that term, she will earn a base salary of $256,904 and a $4,500 doctoral stipend. Larsen also will get a $1,000 monthly stipend for travel.

She will undergo two performance reviews: one by Sept. 30 and one by June 30.

Her total salary is slightly more than former Superintendent Justin Blasko made before he resigned from the district following an external investigation of allegations about inappropriate behavior. However, Larsen brings almost 17 years of executive experience from a school district three times the size of Monroe.

“Dr. Larsen and I have known each other for a number of years, and I think you really have a gem coming to the district as your interim superintendent next school year,” said Carl Bruner, Monroe’s acting superintendent.

Larsen’s contract extends through June 30, 2023, unless she and the school board agree to end the term sooner. That flexibility leaves the option for Monroe to hire a permanent superintendent before the end of the school year.

Last month, school board members selected Larsen from a pool of three candidates.

“I want to thank you for inviting me to join your team. I am very excited,” Larsen told the board Monday night. “As I mentioned to you about four weeks ago, this was not in my mind at all that I would be going back to work and doing another superintendency. But I have totally turned that corner … and I will work so hard for you, I promise.”

Mallory Gruben is a Report for America corps member who writes about education for The Daily Herald.

Mallory Gruben: 425-339-3035; mallory.gruben@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @MalloryGruben.

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