Cleveland’s compensation package on par

By Jimmy Currier
Observer staff writer
Published on Sunday, April 5, 2009 8:13 AM MDT



How does Sue Cleveland’s newly approved contract as superintendent of Rio Rancho Public Schools compare to other districts around the state?

For the most part, Cleveland’s total compensation package of $168,840 (approved by the Board of Education last month) is similar to other school district top dogs in the state.


RRPS is the third-largest district in the state and Cleveland is the third-highest compensated superintendent in the state.

Albuquerque’s Winston Brooks makes $273,000 and is provided with a company vehicle and Las Cruces’ Stan Rounds has a base salary of $168,259 and is provided with a company vehicle.

The largest component of Cleveland’s compensation is her $151,880 salary but she also receives $13,500 for driving her own vehicle for district-related purposes. In previous articles, The Observer misreported Cleveland’s travel stipend for using her own vehicle as $1,350 a month,which would’ve amounted to $16,200 per year. She also is reimbursed for her non-car related travel expenses and flights related to district work.

Other districts comparable in size to Rio Rancho provide their superintendents with a vehicle, rather than providing a stipend.

APS provides Brooks with a 2002 Ford Expedition for district purposes and he can take it home.

Las Cruces provides Rounds with a 2008 Chevy Tahoe SUV for district-related work and he takes it home.

Santa Fe provides its superintendent, Bobbie Gutierrez, with a 1998 GMC Tacoma for district purposes. She has the option to take it home but district officials say she chooses to park it at the district office.

Janel Ryan, superintendent of Farmington’s school district, also drives a district-provided vehicle for work but isn’t allowed to take it home.

Cleveland drives her 4-wheel drive Ford Explorer for district-related work and personal use. She is required to travel to and from school and to district activities and meetings out of the district, including those that take place in Santa Fe.

Cleveland explained there are several reasons why driving an SUV, like a Ford Explorer, is necessary. She said it has three rows of seats so it’s large enough to transport groups of people; it’s used by other staff members when needed; it has carried students on several



occasions when other district vehicles were in use; Cleveland drives the roads during inclement weather; the Expedition has been needed and used in emergency situations and it has been used for guests, consultants and others visiting the district.

RRPS spokeswoman Kim Vesely explained that Cleveland’s tenure has been one of several factors in the district’s success.

The average tenure of a superintendent nationwide is only about six years,” Vesely wrote in an e-mail. “The stability in leadership in RRPS has been cited as one of the major reasons for the district’s success.”

Cleveland, who has asked for sacrifices from district employees as the district recovers from a $4 million deficit, returned $15,000 of her salary in August, a fact which only became public knowledge in the past month.

Cleveland has been RRPS’ only superintendent, taking the job in 1994. In 2005, she was one of four finalists for the 2005 National Superintendent of the Year award.

Copyright © 2010 Rio Rancho Observer

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Reader Comments

The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of the Rio Rancho Observer.

curious wrote on Apr 6, 2009 8:37 AM:

" How could the Observer miss Cleveland's auto allowance by 20%? Jimmy Currier is a better reporter than that. $1350 a month versus $1125 a month? Come on. "

RR Teacher wrote on Apr 6, 2009 11:29 AM:

" Why does everyone care about a car allowance? I can appreciate the need for transparency but really... her car allowance is not why we are in debt. If you read the article, she gave money back to the district. I can tell you that I have not heard of any other officials offering to do that. The folks writing into this paper about Dr. Cleveland do not have half the amount of responsiblity she has here in RR. Give her a break, really! "

RR Staff member wrote on Apr 7, 2009 9:37 AM:

" Please leave Dr. Cleveland alone. She has done a wonderful job leading this district. The performance of this district stands alone. She deserves every penny she gets and it is in line with other supt.s in the state. None of you critics have any clue how much she drives for district business, none of you. So find something else to complain about or at least have the guts to leave your name so everyone can see how selfish you are. "

RR Parent wrote on Apr 7, 2009 11:18 AM:

" Honestly, I have a much bigger issue with an administrator at district office - making good money from taxpayer dollars - who doesnt even put his own children in our schools. If administration home schools their own children, what does that say for our district, our teachers, or school system??? Why is that not an issue? Instead we are worried about Dr. Cleveland's car allowance. Reality check - her kids go here! She is going to make certain the district thrives however why would you make it a priority when it doesnt affect you! "

RR Teacher wrote on Apr 7, 2009 11:21 AM:

" Thank you, I totally agree! Our administrators are doing their very best for kids. I find it funny that many of the posts here are from people that I would be willing to bet have NEVER worked in a school system. Trust me, its not all fun and games with a summer break to enjoy! Get a clue people or find another district to complain about! Better yet, go to APS. I'm sure they would love to hear your imput. Go Storm! "

Greg Smith wrote on Apr 7, 2009 12:48 PM:

" As with every contract there is an obligation on the part of both parties. What has been identified in this article is the obligation that the RRPS has to pay Dr. Cleveland. What about the objectives and goals that Dr. Cleveland is under obligation to attain during the contract period? That is what should be evaluated as to the worthiness of the contract amount, not a comparison with others. "

johncena wrote on Apr 7, 2009 2:10 PM:

" How Mr. Evans or anyone for that matter decides to educate their children is no ones business. Evans does a fine job as finance director and Rio Rancho is fortunate to have him. Please, rio Rancho let's find solutions rather than griping about petty problems. I know people who work for Rio Rancho but live in ABQ.This is a free market. "

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