Schools chief in Puyallup declines raise
JOYCE CHEN; The News Tribune
Puyallup Schools Superintendent Tony Apostle received a glowing annual performance review this week but has declined a pay raise for the coming year.
The Puyallup School Board also extended Apostle’s contract through 2012 at its Monday meeting. Board members praised Apostle, who has served as superintendent since May 2004, for his push for higher academic standards, increased communication with parents and professional development of staff.
“Even in these difficult times, (Apostle) has stayed the course and continued the excellence that we come to expect in the Puyallup School District,” Board President Greg Heath wrote in the evaluation summary.
Apostle credited his success to his team.
“Together we’ve overcome obstacles to maintain the financial stability of the district,” he said in an interview Tuesday. “I am extremely pleased with the accomplishments we’ve made this year.”
Apostle, whose current base salary is $194,400, declined a salary increase to save money in a year when the district will cut its spending by $13.8 million as a result of statewide budget cuts and declining enrollment.
His total compensation package, including an annuity and a car allowance, will remain at $239,960.
With nearly 22, 000 students, Puyallup is the second-largest school district in Pierce County, behind only Tacoma, and the ninth largest in the state.
“We’re just unable to provide the level of service staffing that we’ve been previously able to give,” Apostle said. “I think people will understand more directly what the realities of these reductions are, come September.”
To balance the budget, school officials laid off 68 teachers (41 of whom have been reinstated due to retirements and other personnel changes) and 45 support staff. They also closed Hilltop Elementary School in Edgewood and scaled back programs. The district’s 28 professional development coaches will return to the classroom as instructors.
Apostle said parents can expect increased class sizes and fewer public transportation options; in consolidating bus routes, the district will require most students living within one mile of school to walk.
In February, a total of 151 district administrators, professional-technical staff and executive secretaries in Puyallup volunteered for pay freezes as a cost-saving measure.
Many head officials of municipal and other public agencies outside Puyallup have also rejected salary increases in recent months. Tacoma Schools Superintendent Art Jarvis turned down a raise in June, maintaining his base salary of $240,000, and Tacoma City Manager Eric Anderson declined a 14.5 percent salary increase in March.
Apostle received a 14 percent pay raise in 2007 and an 8 percent increase in 2008.
Joyce Chen: 253-597-8426
joyce.chen@thenewstribune.com
