Salary
Superintendent makes more than governor?
Dear Editor: I opened up my copy of The Daily Herald from Everett last Thursday to read the front page news about local school district superintendents’ annual salaries. Much to my chagrin, I noted that our very own Jean Shumate of the Stanwood-Camano School District makes a whopping $202,115 per year.
That’s our tiny little 5,342-pupil school district.
Not even our state governor, Christine Gregoire, commands such an outrageous salary and she oversees the government of the entire state, making a mere $166,891.
Insult wouldn’t have been added to injury if it weren’t a fact that the voters of Stanwood and Camano were asked to approve multiple school levy increases over these past several years.
What are we paying for, better schools or outrageous salaries?
It boggles my mind that the larger school district of Everett by nearly three and one-half times that of Stanwood/ Camano pays its superintendent $8,000 less.
Why the disparity? I’ve lived on Camano for nearly eight years and in that time my school taxes have increased from $658.42 annually to an astronomical $2,331.40.
I say “Caveat emptor.” Buyer Beware. What are we paying for here?
Let me make it clear that I’m not questioning the professional integrity of Ms. Shumate, nor her performance on the job.
I am questioning why we are paying her so much money when the district has announced that it must lay off 18 teachers at the same time when the 2009-2010 tax increases incurred by voters were more than substantial.
I’m all for paying my fair share.
However, I say it’s time for a taxpayer revolt. Incumbents take note.
Paul Booker Camano Island
