Seattle schools chief awarded 10% pay raise

The Seattle School Board gave Superintendent Maria Goodloe-Johnson a 10 percent raise Wednesday, praising her for developing the newly adopted five-year plan, establishing strong relationships throughout the district and visiting all 93 schools in the past school year.

In a 7-0 vote, the board also extended Goodloe-Johnson's contract through June 2011, and said she could receive raises of up to 10 percent in future years if she reaches goals that have yet to be determined.

Goodloe-Johnson arrived in Seattle last year from Charleston, S. C., hired after a nationwide search to replace Raj Manhas, who resigned.

Her initial contract was for three years, with an annual salary of $240,000. With the raise, which includes a 4.4 percent cost-of-living increase, she will make $264,000. Her contract also includes $20,000 per year in a retirement fund and a $700-per-month car allowance.

The board introduced and voted on the raise in one meeting, which two members of the public criticized, saying it did not allow for public input.

Board member Michael DeBell said the board wanted to take the vote close to Goodloe-Johnson's one-year anniversary, and didn't want to wait until the next board meeting in August.

The board approved the raise with no discussion beyond a few comments from DeBell, and Board President Cheryl Chow's verbatim reading of the board's written summary of Goodloe-Johnson's evaluation.

DeBell praised Goodloe-Johnson for bringing talented people to the district, and helping build a strong relationship with board members.

In the board's written summary of Goodloe-Johnson's contract, it named the five-year strategic plan as Goodloe-Johnson's top achievement in her first year. The plan sets specific targets for raising test scores, graduation rates and even the number of credits earned by ninth-graders.

It also praised her for understanding the importance of communication, and using national experts to analyze the district's strengths and weaknesses. The board also said Goodloe-Johnson has done an excellent job reaching out to business and political leaders.

The board said it would like to see improvement in the amount of community input and involvement in capital and academic programs, and that some areas, such as math and special education, still need to be "fully addressed."

The board also noted, however, that it is optimistic about progress in those areas with creation of several new positions, such as a math manager and a director of school improvement.

The board Wednesday night also approved the district's operating and capital budgets for the 2008-09 school year. In the operating budget, which is a total of $556 million, the board plans to reduce its rainy day fund to help cover rising expenses and district plans to add about 100 new positions. The board has acknowledged that using reserves to balance the budget is a short-term fix, and just delays tough choices that lie ahead.

Linda Shaw: 206-464-2359 or lshaw@seattletimes.com