EUSD board approves 4-year contract for Baird

The Encinitas Union School District board unanimously adopted a four-year contract for Superintendent Tim Baird on Nov. 24.

The board praised Baird for showing strong leadership and helping the district weather the economic downturn.

“Tim has always received an outstanding evaluation from this board,” Trustee Carol Skiljan said.

This school year, Baird will make $205,000, a 2.5 percent increase over his salary last year. The EUSD board approved a 2.5 percent increase for teachers and management this past spring, after an improvement in the district’s budget situation.

The agreement also specifies that Baird will be provided a cellphone for personal use and district business. However, he will be required to use his personal car for district functions and won’t be reimbursed mileage.

And Baird is entitled to a convertible life insurance policy at an annual premium of $6,134 under the deal.

The board is required to provide a written evaluation of Baird’s performance every year, the contract states. Upon a satisfactory review, the contract is extended another 12 months.

Also, the contract leaves the door open for Baird to negotiate salary increases in future years.

Baird has served as superintendent since 2009. Before this, he headed the Ojai Unified School District in Ojai.

The agenda item didn’t draw any public speakers.