Dr. Brent Jones is Approved by the Seattle School Board as Permanent Superintendent (2)

  At a nine meeting meeting on Friday, the Seattle School Board voted 6-1 to approve the contract for the hiring of Dr. Brent C. Jones as permanent superintendent. Director Leslie Harris was the lone no vote. 

President Brandon Hersey said there would be "no public comment opportunity." He said that this had been discussed "at length" and it was a "fair agreement" and he looked forward to working more with Jones on "student-focused governance." 

The motion was made and seconded. Hersey then asked for Board member comments. Not a single person said anything, almost if by design. Director Liza Rankin offer to the public that "if you want to hear more about our thoughts around this contract, where we discussed this step, go listen to that meeting." She did not specific any date so it's not clear what meeting she meant. But that's Director Rankin.

After the vote, Hersey was ready to adjourn and Director Michelle Sarju chimed in saying she wished all Board meetings were this short and that she would get to go to her daughter's basketball game. 

Head of Legal Greg Narver did ask to speak. He said the Board office had some calls (including me) over the base salary stated in the BAR versus the contract. He explained that the one in the BAR included the benefits including contributions to an annuity and for life insurance.

I am no lawyer but I'll show you what it says in each place and you tell me if there might be a legal problem there.  The BAR does not use the term "base salary." I'll highlight the key words.

BAR

Fiscal impact to this action will be $366,150, plus District provided car allowance, and health, vacation/sick leave, and retirement benefits.

Contract

Commencing on the effective date of this Agreement, through June 30, 2023, the Superintendent shall receive an annual base salary of $335,000.

When does "plus" mean including? My read of the BAR is that his salary starts at $366,150 and the benefits come after that number ("plus"). I feel surprised that word wasn't correct. 

I'm sure the contract does supersede the BAR but the BAR is a legal document as well.

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