Former union leader urges transparency on superintendent contract, cites OSPI salary figures

Cooper Jaquish, a district employee, former Pullman Education Support Professionals (ESP) president and parent, addressed the board during public comment to urge transparency in the superintendent contract process.

"Transparency is critical in cultivating trust," Jaquish said, asking that the process for renewing the superintendent's contract be open to the community. He said the superintendent is unique because "the superintendent is the sole employee hired, directly hired, evaluated, and renewed by the school board." That, he argued, gives the community a right to understand how those decisions are made.

Jaquish cited figures he attributed to the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). "According to OSPI, Dr. Maxwell's 23–24 salary was over $257,000, a 32% increase from the 19–20 school year," Jaquish said. He contrasted that with his own pay increase as a district employee: "my own salary ... increased by 17% while inflation was 23%." He also said that, in 2023, Dr. Maxwell's administrative team received a 5.2% cost-of-living adjustment while other staff, including bus drivers, received 4.7%.

Jaquish told the board that calls for transparency are not personal attacks. "It's not about punishing an individual nor is it de facto commentary on an individual's job performance. It's about ensuring that the highest paid employee in the district with the most authority over how our schools operate is held to the highest standard by the Pullman community," he said. He recounted participating in a closed forum with roughly 60 community members who he said felt unheard by district leadership.

The board did not take action in response to the comment during the meeting. Jaquish provided a written copy of his remarks to the board.