Socorro ISD extends contract of superintendent
The Socorro Independent School District board voted to extend the contract of Superintendent Dr. Jose Espinoza Tuesday night.
Espinoza’s current contract is for three years from 2012-2015. He makes $240,000 a year. The board voted to extend that contract by two years, with an additional year based on satisfactory performance.
The extension comes with a two percent salary increase, as well as additional $7,780 per year. The board also voted to increase Espinoza’s car allowance and expense account. He will receive an additional $1,200 per year for each.
The board said they wanted to increase Espinoza’s salary to bring it to market value and keep the position competitive with other districts of similar size.
The board decided to table discussion on hiring Houston law firm Thompson and Horton LLP to conduct an external investigation. The item will be on the agenda next week when the attorneys are in town to be interviewed.
The firm specializes in school law, board member training and employment investigation. Board President Cynthia Ann Najera said they hope to keep the investigation under $60,000.
The board also approved the position of internal auditor for curriculum and instruction. This is apart of their goal to strengthen their internal auditing function. Right now the district only has one internal auditor.
