A public hearing in the Senate Ways & Means Committee is scheduled for Tuesday afternoon regarding House Bill 2050, which aims to enhance savings and efficiencies in K-12 education.
The bill, which adjusts funding distribution percentages for school districts during the 2025-26 and 2026-27 school years, has already gained approval, passing the House of Representatives with a 54 to 40 vote on Saturday.
Among the notable discussions during the House debate was an amendment proposed by Rep. Travis Couture, R-Allyn, which sought to limit school district superintendents’ annual salaries to $250,000. The amendment, however, was not passed, igniting a broader conversation among lawmakers about superintendent pay and its implications on student performance.
Rep. Matt Marshall, R-Eatonville, a member of both the House Education Committee and House Appropriations Committee, expressed concern over the record spending in Washington’s schools contrasted with troubling student outcomes. “Right now, we have record spending in our schools, and we have terrible outcomes,” he stated.
Data reveals that while some metrics, such as school attendance and completion of advanced courses, have improved, test scores and the achievement gap present increasingly worrisome trends.
According to the Washington State Fiscal Information website, Dr. Christine Moloney, the former Superintendent of the Chehalis School District, held the highest salary among K-12 employees in Washington state for the 2023-24 school year, earning $545,618 in regular pay and severance during her final year.
Additionally, five superintendents during the same year had salaries exceeding $400,000, with numerous others making $300,000 or more.
Rep. Marshall justified the proposed $250,000 salary cap, stating it represents a reasonable and livable wage, comparable to salaries of many CEOs and executives within the state. He pointed out that this amount exceeds the salary of the Office of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction and the governor of Washington.
Highlighting the disconnect between superintendent compensation and student performance outcomes, Marshall remarked on the protective measures afforded to superintendents by their contracts, asserting that some are rewarded even after poor performance.
“Their severance clause is incredibly beneficial to the superintendents and super harmful to the taxpayer,” he argued. “The culture of our court system is set up so that grey area will benefit the superintendent regardless of who is really at fault.”
Opposing views were voiced by Rep. Monica Stonier, D-Vancouver, who defended the autonomy of school boards in hiring decisions. “Our school board directors have tough decisions to make,” she stated, emphasizing the importance of community knowledge versus the benefits of conducting nationwide searches for superintendents.
Marshall countered claims that capping salaries might hinder attracting talent from outside Washington by noting that 90% of the state’s superintendents have risen through the local education system rather than coming from out of state.
“Half our kids can’t read at grade level, 70% can’t do math at grade level,” affirmed Rep. Jim Walsh, R-Aberdeen, who supported Couture’s amendment. He suggested that while superintendent salaries might not be the direct cause of these educational shortcomings, they are certainly interconnected.
Reflecting on recent events in Chehalis, Marshall expressed his intention to protect local districts from similar situations. He recounted how Moloney received over $300,000 in payout only to secure another $300,000 contract in a new district shortly thereafter.
“Is it a complex job? Yes. Does it deserve a good salary? Yes. Is it more complex than being the president of the United States, or governor of Washington or Washington state treasurer? I think not,” he questioned.
In addition to salary caps, Republicans suggested limiting severance packages to $50,000, another amendment rejected by the majority party Democrats.
House Bill 2050 is now set to advance through further legislative discussions, remaining a key point of contention regarding school funding and administrative compensation in Washington’s education system.
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