The Goldwater Institute conducted a recent study of Arizona school superintendent pay, revealing substantial taxpayer costs and low transparency. While base superintendent salaries average around $215,000, total compensation—including performance pay, retirement contributions, stipends (like car allowances up to $1,250/month), and generous vacation and personal leave—can exceed $490,000 per year. Additional benefits, such as fully funded spousal/dependent health insurance and life insurance, further increase the value of these packages. Some districts even double-pay into private retirement accounts, despite superintendents already participating in the state retirement system.
Tolleson Union High School District Superintendent, Jeremy Calles, earns nearly $500,000 annually, over $100,000 more than any other superintendent in the state, despite the district being only the 16th largest and showing average student performance (Math: 21% proficient; ELA: 26%).
The study also highlights poor public transparency: 40 of 41 districts failed to publish superintendent contracts online, and many resisted public-records requests.
Key recommendations include:
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Fully disclosing superintendent contracts and total compensation.
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Publishing compensation analyses, including all perks and benefits.
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School boards using independent legal counsel for contract negotiations to avoid conflicts of interest.
Overall, while superintendents play a critical leadership role, the study calls for greater accountability and transparency in their pay and benefits.