Fresno Unified’s top position comes with a hefty paycheck that is drawing pushback from the community.

Fresno Unified sparked public outrage on social media after defending Her’s salary by comparing it to Fresno Teachers Association Executive Director Louis Jamerson’s pay.

The outrage surfaced during the public forum at Wednesday’s meeting.

“It’s very frustrating to hear that there’s going to be a gigantic increase when I know that our teachers, our paraeducators, our bus drivers and custodians, when we ask for a small increase there’s a ‘No, no there’s not money,’” community member Brenda Quispe told the board Wednesday night.

A new Fresno Unified teacher makes roughly $68,000 yearly. Under the new superintendent contract, Her would earn almost six times that amount. An average teacher in Fresno Unified earns $138,269, according to GovSalaries.

And Her isn’t the only administrative employee bringing in the bacon.

In 2023, David Chavez, the district’s chief of human resources and relations, earned $200,171, while Chief Financial Officer Patrick Jensen made $244,951. Chief Information Officer Nikki Henry was paid $198,728.

Amy Idsvoog, executive officer of first response safety and health, earned $167,718, and her husband, Paul Idsvoog, chief human resources and labor relations officer, made $256,333.

The salaries do not include additional pay or benefits.

Previously, Her made $355,000 as interim superintendent and $283,939 as deputy superintendent.

Her’s new annual salary includes a 7.5% career increment and will be broken down into 12 monthly payments.

Additionally, Her is granted a one-time payment of 2.5% of her salary, $1,500 monthly travel pay, 12 sick days, and 25 vacation days annually.

Top Heavy School District

In 2023, Fresno Unified paid more than double on executive salaries compared with Long Beach Unified School District, despite FUSD had only 11% more students that the Southern California district. Around 71,000 students attend Fresno schools compared to around 64,000 attending Long Beach schools.

Fresno Unified‘s spending is larger because its executive team is double the size of Long Beach‘s. Fresno Unified’s organizational chart lists 98 administrators, while 45 administrators are listed in Long Beach’s organizational chart.

GV Wire gathered 2023 salary information for all employees listed on both administrative charts, excluding eight individuals who did not hold their current positions during that period.

Fresno Unified spent $20,528,200 on executive employee salaries in 2023, while Long Beach spent $8,819,932.

The superintendent of Long Beach, Jill Baker, earned $279,304 in 2020, her first year in the position. Now, she makes $439,471 annually.

Superintendent Salary Compared

Misty Her will make over $100,000 more than former superintendent Bob Nelson made during his first year.

The superintendent salary was based on several factors, including Her’s salary as interim superintendent and the salary of the previous superintendent, according to a question-and-answer sheet provided by district spokesperson Nikki Henry.

“Superintendent Her’s starting salary is equivalent to Superintendent (Bob) Nelson’s starting salary when you factor in inflation and salary growth in the system over time,” Henry said.

Nelson made $246,567 in 2017, his first year as superintendent. In his last year, 2023, Nelson earned $388,246 not including other pay and benefits.

This is about $3,000 more than Her’s starting salary.

Comparatively, the majority of other superintendent finalists, as reported by GV Wire, made less as superintendents.

Andrae Townsel, superintendent of Calvert County Public Schools, earned $215,000 in 2023.

Thomas Ahart, superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools until 2022, made $306,193 in his final year.

Gustavo Balderas, superintendent of Beaverton School District, earned $398,344 in 2023.

GV Wire’s Anya Ellis and Edward Smith contributed to the story.