Newport-Mesa school district superintendent gets nearly $30,000 performance bonus

Newport-Mesa Unified School District Supt. Fred Navarro is getting another bonus.

The board of trustees, without discussion, approved a “merit/performance salary supplement contribution” this week for $29,812 based on Navarro’s “proficient” performance during the 2018-19 fiscal year.

The bonus will go into a tax-sheltered retirement plan of Navarro’s choice.

This is the fifth bonus Navarro has received since he joined Newport-Mesa in 2012. The bonuses have ranged from $20,000 to $34,450 each. Counting this one, they total about $140,000.

According to Navarro’s contract, he is entitled to an annual bonus if the board rates him “standard,” “proficient” or “exceptional.” An exceptional rating gets the highest payment.

Navarro receives a base salary of about $290,000 per year.

District watchdog and former trustee Wendy Leece said the bonus should be cut from Navarro’s contract, as his base salary is plenty in light of facilities-related issues including rodent problems at multiple high schools and improperly capped sewer lines at Estancia High.

“I don’t think the public understands your justification for giving the superintendent nearly $30,000,” Leece said. “For taxpayers, it’s in excess of what the superintendent deserves.”

Navarro had no comment during or after the meeting.

Here are Navarro’s bonuses for the past five fiscal years and his performance ratings:

2014-15: $20,000, “exceptional”

2015-16: $26,500, “exceptional”

2016-17: $34,450, “exceptional”

2017-18: $29,812, “proficient”

2018-19: $29,812, “proficient”

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