New Vancouver Public Schools Superintendent Jeff Snell will be paid a $275,000 salary with a guaranteed annual raise of $10,000 through the 2023-24 school year, according to the three-year contract approved by the school board Tuesday night.
Snell, 47, starts his post as superintendent of Clark County’s second-largest district July 1. Until then, he’ll continue to lead the Camas School District as its top administrator. Snell has been Camas’ superintendent since 2016.
Snell’s salary will be $275,000 next school year at VPS. It will increase to $285,000 in 2022-23 and to $295,000 in 2023-24. In addition, a cost-of-living adjustment goes into effect in the second year of the contract. At Camas, Snell’s salary is $187,641, according to the superintendent contract provided by the district.
By comparison locally, the base salary for Evergreen Public Schools Superintendent Mike Merlino is $259,940, according to his contract.
Previous Vancouver Public Schools Superintendent Steve Webb’s base salary for 2020-21 was $272,081 with a total compensation of $335,182, according to the district.
Snell’s seven-page VPS contract states he’ll be awarded 30 vacation days and 12 paid sick days related to illness or injury, and he will be able to cash out any unused vacation time every year.
In addition to Snell’s $275,000 salary, the district also will pay an amount equal to 7 percent of his salary into a tax-sheltered annuity, which works out to $19,250 in the first year of his contract. The superintendent also gets a $500-per-month vehicle allowance, or $6,000 a year, to cover local travel expenses, and he will be provided the district’s standard health benefits package.
Some of Snell’s contract language is similar to his current Camas contract, including a required physical at least once every two years, and that the superintendent is expected to be an active member in various civic organizations.
Board Director Wendy Smith said during Tuesday’s workshop the contract is responsible and “very reflective of the priorities and values of the district.” Snell’s job performance will be evaluated at least twice a year by the board.
Last month, the Vancouver School Board unanimously voted to appoint Snell as VPS’ next superintendent. Snell has been employed by the Camas School District since 2011, and spent his first 15 years in education at VPS as a classroom teacher and building administrator.
