Gustavo Balderas, the incoming superintendent of the Edmonds School District, will earn a $310,000 annual salary.
The salary is outlined in Balderas’ superintendent’s contract, which the Edmonds School District school board approved at its March 24 board meeting. The contract runs from July 1 to June 30, 2023.
Balderas is currently superintendent of the Eugene School District 4J in Eugene, Oregon. He was selected March 3 to succeed outgoing Edmonds superintendent Kristine McDuffy, who is retiring at the end of the school year.
Balderas earns a base salary of $241,500 in Eugene. McDuffy earns a base salary of $294,284.
According to the new contract, Balderas must reside within district boundaries and work 260 days per year, minus district holidays and paid vacation days. He will receive 30 days of annual vacation and the district will also pay for his relocation expenses, up to $15,000, according to the contract.
Other contract conditions include:
- The salary can increase if the Legislature authorizes an “inflationary adjustment” during the contract terms. His salary would be adjusted to ensure that it remains “in the upper quartile of the comparison” of other regional school districts.
- Balderas will receive a $2,000 monthly contribution, as an addition to his gross salary, for a tax-sheltered annuity.
- Balderas will receive $750 per month to offset automobile costs for official travel (deemed less costly than providing him with a vehicle) and $200 for business use of his cell phone.
- The district will pay for Balderas’ membership dues to four professional organizations of his choosing.
- Balderas can organize district administrative and supervisory staff in “the manner which …. will best serve” the district, although changes must be reviewed with the board prior to implementation.
- The board will evaluate Balderas’ job performance formally evaluated each year.
- Balderas is expected to attend “appropriate local, state and, with notice to the (board), national meetings.” He is also expected to participate in “civic and business affairs of the community.” The district also will pay for his dues and costs associated with membership in community service clubs and community events.
The full contract can be found at: https://bit.ly/2USA5wy
