The school board this week approved a contract for Newport-Mesa Unified's new superintendent.
Fred Navarro, 55, starts Aug. 1. His contract is effective through June 30, 2015.
He will earn $230,000 annually. Auto, phone and other stipends will bring his total compensation to $249,800 for his first year.
He will be eligible for merit-based raises beginning next year.
Navarro's predecessor, Jeffrey Hubbard, who served as superintendent from 2006 until January 2012 when he was convicted of two felonies, most recently made $305,920 annually.
Navarro's official hiring as superintendent brings an end to a months-long search for a permanent schools' chief.
As part of routine hiring practices, the district conducted a background check, but unlike in previous years, the school board hired a private investigator to help with the review, said
spokeswoman Laura Boss.
"I believe that Dr. Navarro will bring great stability to NMUSD," Boss said. "As an organization, we have been through a lot over the past few years. He presents himself in a very calm, collaborative and genuine manner and I am truly looking forward to working with him."