Evergreen Public Schools’ board of directors unanimously named Mike Merlino its permanent superintendent on Tuesday.
Merlino was appointed to the position on an interim basis following the sudden resignation of John Steach in February. The school board also directed the district to craft a contract with its new leader, so details on Merlino’s salary and contract length are still to be determined.
Merlino’s salary as chief operating officer for the district was to be $210,373 for the 2018-2019 school year, according to Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction documents. Steach’s total salary was $242,584. His severance package, which included a year’s salary, was $301,812.17.
School board members cited Merlino’s steady and consistent leadership of the district during turbulent times. They pointed to his management of the $15 million to $18 million budget deficit the district is facing, and alluded to last fall’s teacher strikes that kept students out of school.
“We’ve had a lot of unsettled situations, so we want stability,” said board Vice President Victoria Bradford. “That’s weighing heavy on our minds.”
The district also noted the ramifications of conducting a nationwide search for a new superintendent, especially at a time when the district is facing significant budget cuts. Hiring a search firm could be costly, board members noted.
Rachael Rogers, the district’s newest school board member and a senior deputy prosecutor for Clark County, said Merlino has shown “serious commitment” to the district. Candidates outside the district could be more of a wild card.
“It could be someone who doesn’t know us, doesn’t know our culture,” Rogers said.
Merlino has not been a teacher but has worked in public education in Clark County since 1988, first at Educational Service District 112 before heading to Evergreen in 2000. Merlino worked as the district’s director of budget and operations, then its chief financial officer and, most recently, as chief operating officer. He also helped oversee $26 million in budget cuts during the Great Recession.
Merlino told the board he appreciated their support, and pledged to continue listening and collaborating with district staff and families as it moves forward with budget cuts.
“We have had some difficulties over the last several months, but it’s a great school district,” he said. “The fact is that the reset allows us to listen to the people that work in the district. There isn’t anybody that has every answer, but collectively, we do have all the answers.”
At about 25,500 students, Evergreen is Clark County’s largest school district and the state’s sixth largest. The district is also Clark County’s third largest employer, and has a general fund budget of about $368.8 million.
