(Rochester, N.Y.) – Rochester City School District Superintendent Jean-Claude Brizard would like guaranteed raises, an increased car allowance, and a one-time payment of $50,000 if he remains in the district another three years.
13WHAM News obtained a draft contract proposal dated June 22 that was put forth by Brizard’s attorney to the school board. His current 3-year contract expires at the end of the year, but the contract renewal would go into effect retroactively on July 1, 2010, on which date his salary would increase from $223,600 to $225,000. He would get 3 percent raises each of the following years. His current contract requires the school board to set annual salary increases.
If mayoral control legislation passes before Brizard’s contract is renewed, his future would be in doubt. The mayoral control legislation forbids the current board from entering into long term contracts before the body is dissolved. The mayoral control legislation also requires the superintendent to work without a contract.
The draft proposal would expire on June 30, 2013. Brizard could leave before then with 90 days notice.
“If he's going to ask for these things he should at least be amenable to paying the lowest-paid workers a comparable increase,” said Dan DiClemente, president of BENTE, the union representing custodians, clerical workers, and bus drivers. He said Brizard has not agreed to a raise for his members. “We're not asking for a lot. We're not asking for other perks in the contract this year.”
Rochester Teachers Association President Adam Urbanski said Brizard has said no to any raise for teachers. Contract negotiations with the teachers union have been at an impasse.
The draft contract proposal also increases Brizard’s monthly car allowance from $500 to $750. The district would pay $35,000 the first year, $40,000 the second year, and $45,000 the third year into an annuity. If Brizard is still employed by the district at the end of the contract, he would get a $50,000 “longevity payment.”
“Fifty-thousand dollars is way out of the realm of anything that the taxpayers should pay,” said DiClemente.
School Board President Malik Evans would not comment on the proposal. He said, “It's a rough copy that somebody irresponsibly leaked to the press...The contract will be made public once we negotiate it.”
A spokesman for Brizard expressed concern that the proposal was made public and the impact that could have on negotiations.
The school board will meet Thursday night and is expected to discuss the proposal. The board has not approved any of the provisions in the contract.
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Buffalo’s superintendent did not get a guaranteed raise, had optional use of a district vehicle or mileage reimbursement, and received a payment of $15,000 a year into an annuity plan. His contract expired last year; a new one is not yet uploaded on the website.
Syracuse’s superintendent does not get a guaranteed raise. He has optional use of a district vehicle or $600 a month vehicle allowance. He does not get payments into an annuity plan.
Pittsford’s superintendent does not get a guaranteed raise or a vehicle allowance. The district pays $20,500 a year into an annuity plan. She also gets a $1,000-a-year longevity payment; after three years, she gets a $3,000-a-year longevity payment.
