HUNTER DWORACZYK [email protected]
Last month, Jennifer Garcia-Edwardsen became Taylor Independent School District’s new superintendent.
According to the contract, Garcia-Edwardsen will make an annual salary of $195,000 that is paid in monthly increments.
The contract runs through Jan. 31, 2027.
Marco Ortiz, president of the district’s school board, said the $195,000 number fit within the salary range trustees laid out for the position based on experience and duties.
“A lot of people think superintendents are just about math, science, grades, etc.
But no, she has other things she has to worry about,” Ortiz said. “It’s those legislative things, mandates that the state puts on. It’s things they don’t even think of.”
The contract states that Garcia-Edwardsen has 226 working days, but Ortiz said that doesn’t capture the full scope of the job expectations.
“Being the superintendent could be a 24/7 type position,” Ortiz said. “Those are the other things they don’t see. Yeah, she is paid for 226 days in her contract, but all this other stuff is things you don’t think of.”
Garcia-Edwardsen has duties such as submitting a budget proposal and being visible in the community, the contract states.
Ortiz added that the superintendent is sometimes responsible for communicating with trustees in times of crisis.
Garcia-Edwardsen’s contract expires in January and not at the end of that school year in order to align with board practices, Ortiz said.
Ortiz said contracts for superintendents typically take place in three-year terms. Every January, trustees have their official evaluation of the superintendent where they decide if they want to extend the contract for an additional year.
“It’s pretty standard to be a three-year contract,” Ortiz said. “There are options when people extend those, but we’re keeping it at three years.”
The full contract agreement can be found on the Taylor ISD website’s “About us” section under “Required Notices.”
