Pay hikes for most school bosses

Pay increases that began July 1 for school superintendents across Idaho varied greatly.

Coeur d'Alene Superintendent Steven Cook will receive $160,000 this fiscal year, the same amount as his 2018-19 salary.

However, Boise's new superintendent, Coby Dennis, received a $29,000 pay raise to $177,395 when he started the job on July 1. He made $148,602 in 2018-19 as the district's deputy administrator.

Dennis's salary is just under the $178,256 former Boise Superintendent Don Coberly made after nine years on the job before retiring.

Coeur d'Alene spokesman Scott Maben said Cook informed the board of trustees that he wanted his salary to remain the same for another year.

“He’s just one year into his superintendency, so he felt comfortable continuing at the same level for now," Maben said.

While Cook's salary remains the same, it’s the highest among Kootenai County's three largest school districts. Typically, the larger the school district, the more superintendents across the state make and that formula holds true here.

Post Falls Superintendent Jerry Keane, who has held the position since 2001, received a $7,000 increase on July 1 and will make $145,000.

"Our board attempts to look at statewide averages for like-sized districts to determine my pay," Keane said. "Obviously, variables such as longevity and job performance are part of the equation. The board also looks at local Idaho superintendent salaries. It wants to pay a competitive salary to the CEO of their $60 million company with 850 employees."

Lakeland Superintendent Becky Meyer, who has been the leader there for more than three years, received a $2,247 hike and will make $140,000.

Examples of superintendent pay in other areas of the state include:

- $177,012, an increase of more than $5,000 for Mary Ann Ranells, former Lakeland superintendent who has led West Ada, the state's largest district, for more than three years; and

- $180,208 for Blaine County Superintendent GwenCarol Holmes, up from $176,054.

The state Legislature this year appropriated more funding for education pay. In some districts, including Coeur d'Alene, voters approved levies to supplement the state funding increase.

Most employees in Coeur d'Alene, including certified and classified staff, received a 6 percent raise for the fiscal year that began July 1. Administrators, with the exception of Cook, received a 4 percent increase.

"Increased state funding contributed to our ability to award those increases, but the primary factor was the increase in our local operating levy approved by voters in March," Maben said. "We increased the levy by $4 million a year for a total of $20 million per year. Of that $4 million increase, $2.5 million was earmarked for improving staff pay."

Keane said that, similar to teacher pay, superintendent salaries in Idaho are considerably lower than in Washington.

He said this year’s state appropriation provided a 3 percent salary increase for teachers, support staff and administrators.

"While the money provided by the state did not completely cover the cost of a 3 percent raise, we were able to provide that increase to all staff," Keane said. "All three local districts are paying some of the highest teacher salaries in the state in an effort to compete for teachers with Washington."

Idaho Education News contributed to this story.