Centinela Valley schools chief amassed $663,000 in compensation in 2013-California Public Education's Road To The 1%

The Daily Breeze reports:

The superintendent of the Centinela Valley high school district negotiated a contract so loaded with out-of-the-ordinary perks that he managed to amass more than $663,000 in total compensation last year.

Documents obtained by the Daily Breeze from the Los Angeles County Office of Education show that although Jose Fernandez had a base pay of $271,000 in the 2013 calendar year, his other benefits amounted to nearly $400,000.

On top of that, the district just over a year ago provided Fernandez with a $910,000 loan at 2 percent interest to buy a house in affluent Ladera Heights.


Though Centinela is made up of just three comprehensive high schools and a continuation school in Hawthorne and Lawndale, Fernandez’s payout in 2013 more than doubled that of his peers in larger neighboring South Bay districts.

The public spirit of underpaid, unappreciated , first responders, in the altruistic section of California's economy. Just so you know, Jose Fernandez is concerned about cuts in public education in this letter to parents:

Dear parents, staff and students of the Centinela Valley Union High School District:

As public education continues to take blows, both from the state and federal levels, I am proud to say that through very diligent work and effort by the Board and staff, we have managed to complete a multi-year financial projection resulting in a positive certification with reserves that meet the 3% requirement. In addition, despite all the cuts to education, CVUHSD has always maintained instruction to be the highest priority. The district has kept all instructional days intact with no furloughs and minimal layoffs.

Our teachers and staff continue to provide the highest educational opportunities for the students of Centinela Valley, but we cannot do it alone. It is the support of our community and parents that help build and maintain the foundation our students need to succeed.

Some people get into public education to become the 1%. It's for the children: don't forget that. No word yet on whether Barack Obama will comment on this story and ask that public school districts lower salaries and benefits in order to help the disparity between incomes from public education and private education.