Fresno Unified promoted Ruth Quinto to deputy superintendent, maintaining her $197,880 annual salary but awarding her an improved benefits package worth tens of thousands of dollars, including lifetime health benefits.
In a 4-3 vote, the board of trustees on Wednesday approved Quinto's new job and contract. Trustees Carol Mills, Larry Moore and President Valerie Davis cast the dissenting votes. Said Davis: "It's the wrong time, wrong budget and wrong message."
Quinto, 41, had been Fresno Unified's chief financial officer and one of five associate superintendents. She is widely credited with repairing the district's troubled finances during her five years with the district.
She immediately takes over the second-ranking job in the district -- behind Superintendent Michael Hanson -- under a new, three-year contract. She will continue to oversee district finances under the new title of deputy superintendent of administrative services/chief financial officer.
Although Quinto's base salary doesn't change, the district will spend an additional $23,425 in retirement contributions on her behalf during the first year of the contract and $46,851 starting in 2010. If she remains with the district long enough, she will also receive lifetime district-paid health benefits.
It's a perk no longer afforded most Fresno Unified employees; the district stopped providing lifetime, district-paid health benefits to retirees in 2005, sparking litigation. Hanson also has lifetime health benefits.
Hanson recommended Quinto's promotion, praising the work she has done for the district. Promoting her, he said, would be "a prudent and aggressive move" that will help maintain the stability of the district.
Quinto has a background in accounting and was a top official at Fresno City Hall where she worked as interim assistant city manager and controller. She also has worked at a national accounting firm in Riverside.
Several members of the public spoke in favor of Quinto's promotion at the meeting.
Former trustee Manuel Nuñez said a lot of districts aren't doing as well as Fresno Unified and the difference is Quinto.
"Yeah, it does mean an increase in salary, but she's worth it," he said.
But Greg Gadams, president of the Fresno Teachers Association, called Quinto's new benefits package "ridiculous" and criticized Hanson for hiding details of the contract until Wednesday.
"It's over $40,000 in out-of-pocket perks that other employees have to pay for," he said.
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