EVERETT — New Everett School District Superintendent Gary Cohn has agreed to a three-year contract that will pay a base a salary of $170,000 a year.
He’ll be making $13,000 less than former Superintendent Carol Whitehead, who retired in September. The Everett School Board posted a salary range of $190,000 to $210,000 during its national search before choosing Cohn earlier this month.
Everett district leaders and Cohn, who has been Port Angeles superintendent for the past eight years, said there were three main reasons for the lower starting salary: massive state budget cuts that are expected to hit schools hard; Cohn is making a transition from a smaller school district; and the pay is comparable to several other districts of similar size.
“We had a discussion and mutually agreed knowing that because of the economy and pretty severe cuts the district is facing, it made sense to be prudent,” said Everett School Board President Sue Cooper, who helped negotiate the deal.
“I agreed with the board Âmembers,” Cohn said. “The salary amount is reasonable.”
Cohn will leave the Olympic Peninsula city to become Everett’s new superintendent beginning July 1. He will replace interim Superintendent Karst Brandsma, who took over after Whitehead retired.
Cohn will take the reins of one of the state’s largest districts with 26 schools, about 18,500 students, a $188 million annual operations budget and close to 2,000 employees. He’s making about $138,000 in Port Angeles.
Superintendent contracts typically include other financial incentives, including vacation time, health insurance, annuities and a travel allowance.
Among other things, Cohn’s contract provides:
12 days of annual leave for illness, injury or emergency
34 days of paid vacation
Up to $7,500 in moving expenses
Cohn’s salary in Everett will be less than some other local superintendents.
In Edmonds, for instance, Superintendent Nick Brossoit receives a base salary of $195,910.
In the Northshore School District, Superintendent Larry Francois receives a base salary of $187,000. He’s in his first year in the district.
Marysville Superintendent Larry Nyland is due a base salary of $165,000 this year.
Cohn’s contract also provides conditions for how he will lead the district. Contract language gives “complete freedom to organize, reorganize and arrange the administrative and supervisory staff, including instruction and business affairs.” Cohn also can select and transfer personnel, subject to board approval, according to the contract.
Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446, stevick@heraldnet.com.
By the numbers
New Everett School District Superintendent Gary Cohn will receive a base salary of $170,000 a year when he takes over the district with 18,500 students July 1.
Here are the base salaries for other superintendents in nearby districts of similar size:
Edmonds: Nick Brossoit, $195,910, enrollment 21,000
Mukilteo: Marci Larsen, $191,520, enrollment 14,000
Northshore: Larry ÂFrancois, $187,000, enrollment 20,000
Marysville: Larry ÂNyland, $165,690, enrollment 12,000
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