The Washoe County School District has approved a contract with its new superintendent Traci Davis. Davis assumed the duties of superintendent more than a year ago and for five months she's juggled that job along with the duties of Deputy Superintendent. She had asked to be paid for that work. So the perimeters of her contract appeared even larger than they were in reality.Â
Her base pay is the same as the last superintendent, Pedro Martinez, $238,000. The way the contract was originally written months ago, she was in line for a raise in December. And the back-pay of $58,000 was also approved. But there were concessions too. She had asked that the evergreen clause that guarantees her employment in the future be taken out. She says that makes it easier and cheaper for the district actually to part ways if things for any reason don't work out. She also asked that the bonuses written in be half of what the last superintendent had asked for.Â
The bone of contention at today's meeting was more with the idea that she wanted a monthly stipend of $800 to be spent on driving her own car instead of a county car.Â
Trustee Nick Smith says that will cost the district money.Â
"It's hard to pin down just what driving her own car will cost," Smith said. "According to my research she drove 8,800 miles in 2013 and that cost us about $4,000. Paying her $800 a month means we are committed for at least $9,600." He voted against approving the contract.Â
Davis however says she's not setting a precedent.
"The two previous superintendents bought new cars. And it's actually cheaper to get the money and buy one and it's less liability for the district. In the end I'm saving them money!"
