Robert Chacon
The top official for the La Canada Unified School District makes less
than the median for the same position in school districts across Los
Angeles County, according to the Los Angeles County Office of
Education.
The numbers, which were posted on the La Canada District website,
show district Supt. Sue Leabo is paid $150,000, which ranks 31 among
47 school districts in the county. Los Angeles Unified School
District ranks first for the amount it pays its superintendent --
$250,000 a year. Glendale is second with a superintendent salary of
$199,000, the numbers show.
Leabo was out of town on business, and Stratton could not be
reached for comment.
School board members posted the salary information on the
district's website for public review in case they came into question
during the current contract negotiations with the La Canada Teachers
Assn.
Teachers have been working without a new contract since the
beginning of the school year. Both parties are scheduled to meet
again on Feb. 10.
"During difficult financial times, district administrators'
salaries and jobs are oftentimes questioned," said school board
President Ron Dietel in a monthly letter he writes for the district.
Hammered by shrinking state revenues, the district has also faced
a dwindling budget over the past two years.
"Our salaries are constrained to a certain degree by the funds we
have," school board member Andy Beattie said. "It helps if we can
have people serve in more than one capacity."
Leabo and Stratton both agreed to take on extra duties, Dietel
said Friday.
"They are strong team players," he said. "They put other people's
priorities ahead of their own."
Stratton agreed to a three-year contract worth $450,000, Dietel
said, adding that because of that, the superintendent's salary stayed
the same for four years.
The superintendent oversees 300 employees and a budget of about
$30 million.
