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SANDY — In a 5-1 decision, the Canyons School District voted Tuesday to renew the contract of Superintendent David Doty and awarded him a $10,000 raise and $25,000 one-time bonus for "exemplary performance.”
The contract also sets aside a monthly expense stipend of $1,000 and establishes an annual raise of up to 10 percent based on Doty's performance in a number of goal areas.
District spokesman Jeff Haney provided documents which compared Doty to his peer superintendents at the state's largest school districts. He said Doty's prior base salary of $175,000 was among the lowest and the $10,000 raise places Doty's pay equal to the superintendent of neighboring Jordan School District.
But prior to his dissenting vote, board member Steven Wrigley motioned to postpone the contract renewal until the board could be presented with comprehensive compensation information.
It's "not right" that Doty be paid less than his peers in Granite, Jordan and Alpine school districts, said board member Kevin Cromar
According to Utahsright.com, a website that tracks the salaries of public employees, Doty received $284,253 in total compensation during the 2009-2010 fiscal year, his first year as superintendent and the last year figures are available. That number represents more than $100,000 in additional compensation over Doty's base salary.
A spokesman for the Canyons School District explains that the figures listed on the Utah's Right website for that year include $30,000 Doty was paid in 2008, when the district was first formed. Jeff Haney said Doty was compensated for four months he worked for the district prior to its opening.
The board also approved a $20,000 raise for Chief Financial Officer Keith Bradford — from $155,000 to $175,000 — as well as a similar one-time bonus of $25,000 for exemplary performance. Haney said the one-time bonuses are a response to neither man receiving a salary increase over the past three years, during which time they provided exemplary performance to the district.
Doty's tenure as superintendent has been marked by a controversial school bonding and boundary decision as well as criticism by some former and current district employees of his management style.
Board member Kevin Cromar referred to the recent criticism by the district employees, but said the allegations were not enough to warrant not renewing Doty's contract.
"I have serious concerns about the professional treatment of our employees," Cromar said. "I still have concerns and we'll look for improvement in the area of interpersonal conduct."
Wrigley, the lone board member to vote against the raise and bonus, declined to comment on his vote after the meeting.
Cromar said salary increases are a delicate subject because unlike the CEO of a private company they are funded by taxpayer dollars. But he said it's "not right" that Doty be paid less than his peers in Granite, Jordan and Alpine school districts.
During the public comment portion of Tuesday's board meeting, Canyons Education Association President Ross Rogers thanked Doty and his negotiation team for their work with the CEA in reaching a salary agreement for the 2012-2013 academic year. Canyons teachers will receive a 1 percent cost of living increase and a 2 percent bonus.
Contributing: John Daley
