SISD superintendent contract break-down
The new superintendent of the Socorro Independent School District has signed a three-year contract that guarantees him nearly quarter of-a-million-dollars each year. But Dr. Jose Espinoza is paid to produce results.He’ll be assessed annually and evaluated by the board of trustees, along with having to answer to Socorro parents.
Espinoza is the CEO of SISD and he is going to be held responsible for the schools’ performance, how well the teachers teach, and how ready the students are for college.
Espinoza has signed a three-year contract with SISD, from Sept.10, 2012 to 2015. His base pay each year is $240,000, and each month he gets $1,325 in car and business allowances. Travel is reimbursed, health benefits are covered and to help him move here from Houston, he has about $8,000 to spend. The board of trustees said he’s worth it.
“The community felt that he was a good fit for the district,” said board President Michael Najera.
Espinoza is making a lot, but still the less than his predecessor Dr. Xavier de la Torre, who made about $256,000 with $2,000 in monthly allowances. And Ysleta ISD Super Dr. Michael Zolkoski, who’s base is about $244,000 with $10,000 raises scheduled each year. Zolkoski is also receives about $900 in monthly allowances and $700 for monthly health expenses.
While Espinoza will have to make his own contributions to the Texas Teacher Retirement System, Zolkoski’s are 100 percent made by YISD. Both men also have their professional memberships covered, and representing the districts in certain circles is highly encouraged in the contract.
Do they earn nearly quarter of a million dollars? You decide.
According to the Texas Education Code, superintendents are expected to plan the schools’ budgets, hire and fire people, and will be held responsible for how well the schools do.
“I’m going to be interviewing and meeting with central office personnel, the parents of our district, the administrators, the teachers,” Espinoza said. “I’m going to start interviewing with them to see where we need to improve so that we can have a plan of action and move our district forward.”
The Socorro Independent School District says the contract with their new superintendent, Espinoza was not influenced by scandals within El Paso ISD.
EPISD Superintendent Lorenzo Garcia made more than $272,000 and before resigning late last year.
