Central Washington University President Gets New Contract

ELLENSBURG (AP) — The president of Central Washington University has a new five-year contract.

The university says its trustees last week unanimously approved a contract for James L. Gaudino through July 31, 2021. They also gave him his first merit-pay increase since he was appointed in 2009.

Gaudino's annual base salary will be $375,000. He'll receive cash payment for each year he serves beyond Aug. 1. The first payment would be $25,000, and would increase by $25,000 in each of the following four years.

Gaudino oversees a total operating budget of nearly $335 million. There are about 12,000 students and 1,500 employees at the public university in Ellensburg.