SEATTLE — On Tuesday, the Seattle Public Schools board will vote on a pay raise for the superintendent, as the district also grapples with a plan to close schools to solve a nearly $100 million budget deficit.
Parents have expressed concern about the district's top brass receiving a pay raise while SPS works to make drastic changes to close the deficit. A largely unpopular plan to close up to 21 schools was put on pause. An update to that effort is expected on Oct. 9.
Parents have also reached out to KING 5, upset that they will not be able to provide comment at Tuesday's meeting. Parents can either watch a live stream or observe the meeting remotely in the auditorium.
The salary increase that's on the table for SPS Superintendent Dr. Brent Jones is around $25,000, which would bring his overall salary to $390,940 - a 6.7% increase.
The school board will also discuss an option at Tuesday's meeting to renew Jones' contract without a pay raise. Jones took over at SPS in May 2021.
A school board document said avoiding turnover in the superintendent position is key to stability in the district. There have been several superintendents at SPS over the past 30 years. The school board believes students will benefit from the continued leadership of Jones, who has shown "commitment to our students and city."
How the district will move forward in navigating its budget deficit remains unclear after Jones put a pause on the school closure plan. More information is expected to come in the first half of October.