Clark County School District board approves four-year contract for superintendent-designate Joan Ebert; interim superintendent to provide transition assistance

The Clark County School District Board of Trustees on April 10 approved a four-year employment agreement for superintendent‑designate Joan Ebert and amended the interim superintendent's agreement to allow a short transition period.

Under terms summarized by the board's outside legal counsel, Ms. Ebert's contract runs four years and provides an annual salary of $385,000. The agreement includes standard benefits, an opportunity for a performance incentive of up to 5 percent, and a cap on payments if the board terminates the superintendent for convenience. The contract also includes a mutual commitment to "balanced governance," tying evaluation processes to governance training the board and superintendent will undertake.

Special Counsel for the Board described other key provisions during the board's presentation: that Ms. Ebert "will receive $385,000 a year" and that she agreed to limit buy‑back of unused sick leave and to cap severance at 12 months in the event of a termination for convenience. Counsel also said the contract includes a provision that, once notice is given, the superintendent shall pause hiring, promotions, transfers and refrain from increasing salaries, intended as a fiscal‑responsibility safeguard.

The board voted 7–0 to approve the Superintendent Employment Agreement (agenda item 3.01). Trustee Esparza Stropfgan moved the motion; Trustee Biasari seconded it.

Immediately after, the board considered an amendment to the interim superintendent's employment agreement so Brenda Larson Mitchell could remain on the job for an additional four days to assist with transition activities. General Counsel John Okazaki and interim superintendent Larson Mitchell told trustees the short extension and an option for limited follow‑up support by phone had been arranged. The board voted 7–0 to approve the interim extension (agenda item 3.05).

Board members and counsel repeatedly described the contract negotiations as collaborative. The board's outside counsel said the final draft reflected changes trustees sought and commended Ms. Ebert for concessions such as limiting potential compensation related to unused sick leave. The contract also contains standard dispute and termination‑for‑cause provisions.

What happens next: the contract is public record and the district staff will proceed with the transition steps described at the meeting, including providing Ms. Ebert with technology and system access ahead of her start date. The contract sets the term and the fiscal constraints the board approved; it does not, in itself, implement operational changes beyond those stated in the agreement.

Votes at a glance: The Board approved the Superintendent Employment Agreement (agenda item 3.01) by a 7–0 vote; the board approved the interim superintendent employment agreement amendment (agenda item 3.05) extending transition assistance by four days by a 7–0 vote.

(For provenance: discussion and presentation of the superintendent agreement began with the board's special counsel's remarks about the contract terms and concluded with the votes approving items 3.01 and 3.05.)