Contract for APS superintendent is approved
Scott Elder is slated to run Albuquerque Public Schools for at least three years, and he will continue to make $225,000 annually for now with a host of benefits.
His employment contract was approved by the Board of Education on Monday, which outlined his term from July 1 to June 30, 2024, with potential extensions and opportunities for raises.
“That (term is) usually the minimum for a large, urban district and Scott’s salary is actually a little less than what’s normally recommended,” Board President David Peercy said during a meeting Monday morning.
The school board voted 5-1 to sign off on the contract. Peggy Muller-Aragón, who voted no, raised issues about parts of the agreement, including a provision that commits the board to pay the superintendent’s legal fees under some circumstances. Yolanda Montoya-Cordova wasn’t present for the vote.
The board picked Elder to be superintendent in March following a lengthy search and after he had been serving as interim superintendent.
While his salary is the same as when he was interim superintendent, it can increase each year.
“This salary shall be increased in each school year during the term of this contract to reflect the Board of Education’s yearly evaluation review, meeting agreed(upon) goals and available state revenue,” the document states.
There is also the potential for a salary adjustment based on decisions that come down from the Roundhouse.
“The board shall further have the authority, for any school year governed by the terms of this contract and for which a salary increase is mandated if the district meets conditions as specified by the legislature of New Mexico, to implement salary adjustments during the school year in accordance with a salary schedule adopted by the board in accordance with the legislative guidelines for that year,” the contract states.
Elder succeeds Raquel Reedy who was in charge of the district for five years.