Leaders of a struggling school district in California are earning significant salaries despite the ongoing issues, as revealed by recent reports.
Santa Rosa City Schools, located about an hour north of San Francisco, has top officials earning over $1 million collectively, with the superintendent’s salary exceeding $250,000 annually.
Even amidst the crisis, there was no comment available from the school when contacted, as it was spring break.
Law enforcement officials have expressed concerns that the district is facing collapse due to excessive hiring practices and inflated salaries.
Lisa August Hulme, the interim superintendent, has a base salary of $261,537, placing her in the 90th percentile for California superintendents. This figure approaches salaries seen in larger districts like San Diego, which serves more than 20,000 students, whereas Santa Rosa has over 12,000 students.
The executive director of the Office of Special Services, John Fisher, who has spoken out about insufficient federal funding for students, earned over $177,000 in total compensation.
Other high-profile salaries include Assistant Superintendent Dr. Vicki Zanz at more than $222,000 and Associate Superintendent Roderick Castro at $243,410.60. Additionally, Stacy A. Desideri, overseeing Wellness & Engagement, had total compensation of $198,000.
The 2025-2026 salary schedule for administrators in the Santa Rosa City Schools indicates that even high school principals earn around $170,000, significantly higher than the California average of $135,000.
There was no immediate feedback on how these salaries are established, as many district executives were unavailable during their spring break.
Given the budgetary challenges the district is facing, some executives have started to accept pay cuts to address the financial deficit.
California’s school districts receive funding based on enrollment numbers, and Santa Rosa has experienced a consistent decline in student enrollment over the past five years.
Moreover, the Sonoma County Superintendent has criticized the district for its financial mismanagement.
In 2017, the district lost numerous students due to the catastrophic wildfires that destroyed thousands of structures and claimed lives in the vicinity.
More recently, a tragic incident occurred in 2023 at Montgomery High School when a 16-year-old student was fatally stabbed by another student during class, leading to further scrutiny of the district’s safety and management issues.
