Dan Snowberger’s contract to lead Durango School District 9-R is set to automatically renew Jan. 31, and he has notified the board of his intent to seek the scheduled one-year renewal.
Snowberger is under contract through June 30, 2019, and unless the Durango school board blocks renewal by Jan. 31, his contract will automatically be extended to June 30, 2020.
“I believe the board is pleased with Mr. Snowberger’s leadership and made a commitment to keep him here this fall by granting a pay raise this year,” 9-R School Board President Nancy Stubbs said in an email.
Stubbs said the board discusses Snowberger’s contract during a work session each January, and she expects a similar discussion at the upcoming Jan. 9 work session.
She added: “Mr. Snowberger is in his sixth year in the district and is seen as a leader across the state. We are fortunate to have him.”
Snowberger, in an email, said: “I came to Durango, not as a stepping stone, but to serve the district until the time came when I lost my effectiveness. The effectiveness is at moving the district academically forward and ensuring that our students graduated our system well-prepared for whatever pathway they choose for themselves.”
Snowberger earns $166,000 annually, has a $600 per month car allowance and receives the same benefit package as all 9-R employees covering health, dental, life insurance and four weeks of vacation annually.
The extension slated for the end of January will not affect Snowberger’s pay or benefit package. Stubbs said Snowberger’s salary and benefits are usually negotiated in September, when the board evaluates the district’s results policies and operational expectation policies.
Snowberger’s annual salary was set this fall after a salary comparison found superintendents of districts similar to 9-R received salaries ranging from $150,000 to $190,000, Stubb said.
The school board has suggested Snowberger consider pursuit of a doctoral degree, and the board has agreed to consider reimbursement for some costs if he chooses to pursue such a degree, but at this time, Snowberger has not made a decision to enroll, Stubbs said.
Snowberger added in an email: “As I continue to lead in Durango, my focus remains on closing the achievement gap that exists for children from poverty, children of color and students who are identified with special education needs. These students deserve and are capable of the same level of success as all peers. With regard to poverty, I continue to hold that we are the one true solution to changing the course of poverty through a quality education.”
parmijo@durangoherald.com
