Socorro Independent School District board of trustees voted to approve superintendent finalist Nate Carman’s employment contract through 2025 and his $335,000 annual base salary.
Trustees welcomed Carman at a reception in El Paso after the vote Monday. His official start date was March 14.
Carman will continue to tour SISD schools, meet with employees and visit district facilities, an SISD news release stated Monday night.
He will spend his first few months learning more about the district, and will, “engage with SISD stakeholders, review critical aspects such as budget, finances, accountability, and curriculum; and examine processes in the district,” per the release.
“It is an honor to join this wonderful team of students, teachers, staff, and families, who clearly love the Socorro community,” Carman said in the release. “I accept this most important position with full responsibility and aim to fulfill the duties to the best of my ability.”
Carman will make about $60,000 less than his predecessor, former SISD Superintendent Jose Espinoza.
Superintendent salary reports from the Texas Education Agency for the 2020-21 academic year ending in October 2020 show Espinoza — who resigned in May — made the highest superintendent’s annual salary in El Paso County, at $395,322.48, though his starting salary was $240,000 in 2012.
Espinoza made the third-highest superintendent’s salary in the state of Texas, per the state’s most recent superintendent salary reports.
Espinoza also was offered a $629,308 settlement payment for one year’s salary and benefits to complete his contract after he resigned, and the district agreed to continue funding his retirement plans.
Carman will get an $800 per month stipend for his personal vehicle, which can be used for both personal and business use.
The district agreed to pay for his “actual and incidental costs” for travel, except mileage reimbursement for travel within the district. This could include plane tickets, hotels, meals, rental cars and other expenses “incurred in the performance of the business of the District.”
Espinoza’s travel expenses were also covered. He received $800 a month for vehicle use, a $725 monthly expense allowance and an additional allowance of $640 monthly “for other expenses incurred by the Superintendent” per the first amendment to his employment contract.
Carman will be given a one-time reimbursement of up to $15,000 for him to move from the San Benito, Texas, area to El Paso. This money can be used for housing and moving expenses. Carman will also be reimbursed $150 per day for up to 30 days for temporary lodging in El Paso until he establishes a residence.
Carman will get the minimum requirement of personal leave set by the state as other administrative personnel who work year-round. According to the Texas Education Code, school district employees get a minimum five days off per year, though school districts can offer more.
The district will also cover a life insurance policy not to exceed $500,000 for Carman.
For retirement, SISD will supplement Carman’s annual salary by “an amount equal to the Superintendent’s portion of the monthly member contribution to the Texas Teacher Retirement System,” which is set at 8.65% of annual salary.
Carman must establish his residence within district boundaries by September 11.
The SISD board will consider extending Carman’s contract or increasing his salary or benefits by March 2023 and at the end of each contract year after that.
Carman led border school district before coming to El Paso
Carman has been a superintendent of school districts for nine years. He was superintendent of San Benito CISD in the lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas since 2017 before coming to El Paso.
He was superintendent of Teague ISD south of Dallas starting in 2013.
Carman was assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction for Pine Tree ISD in east Texas from 2009 to 2013. He was also previously a campus and then district administrator at Grand Prairie ISD and a campus administrator at both Wilmer Hutchins ISD and Lewisville ISD.
While superintendent at San Benito CISD, the district increased its unassigned general fund balance from $17.9 million to $41.3 million, created an early college academy, passed a $40 million bond and established three elementary academies.
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Cristina Carreon may be reached at [email protected] and @Cris_carreon90 on Twitter.