Burbank Unified board unanimously approves four‑year contract for incoming superintendent Tom McCoy

The Burbank Unified School District board unanimously approved a four‑year contract on March 26 to hire Dr. Tom McCoy as superintendent, with the term running July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2030.

Board President (as addressed in the meeting) read the contract’s material terms before the vote: an annual base salary of $315,000, eligibility for the same health, welfare and retiree benefits as other certificated management employees, stipends for master’s and doctoral degrees consistent with other district management, and a longevity bonus equal to 1% of base pay after satisfactory completion of the fourth, fifth and sixth years of consecutive service. The contract establishes a 225‑day “positive work year,” provides for up to five additional days at the superintendent’s per‑diem rate with prior approval, and states the board may terminate the contract without cause with pay continuing for up to 12 months or to the end of the contract term, whichever is shorter.

Board members said they relied on an external salary study and the candidate’s years of experience. Trustee comments during the discussion thanked the search advisers and the negotiating team for their work and emphasized that an explicit evaluation schedule and goal‑setting language are included in the agreement.

The motion to approve the contract was moved and seconded by board members as recorded in the meeting, and the board took a voice vote; the president announced the motion passed unanimously. After the vote, Dr. McCoy accepted the appointment and said he looked forward to meeting staff and community members and to building trust and cooperation across the district.

What’s next: Dr. McCoy will begin on July 1 and the district said the contract text is posted on the district website under the board meeting materials for public review.