Since its always good to check out what other school districts are doing, here’s a peek at Milford:
As budget season rages on and the proposed education budget faces a possible $2 million cut, administrators’ salaries are being targeted by education watchdogs.
The 2008-09 account designated for the salaries of Supt. of Harvey Polansky and Assistant Supt. for Teaching and Learning Michael Cummings is more than $67,000 larger than it was last year, a projected leap that caught budget watchdog Ed Tamas’ eye.
But the change is largely due to the fact that Polansky, who started in July 2007, and Cummings, who moved to the central office from Foran High School in late 2007, were paid more from the start than their predecessors, said Deputy Supt. of Operations Philip Russell.
The difference wasn’t factored in when the budget was drafted in October 2006, and the extra money promised to Polansky and Cummings when they took their positions was moved from other accounts, Russell said.
Polansky, with annuity and doctorate stipend factored in, is paid $192,300 annually. Cummings is paid $132,000, Russell said, adding that those salaries are on the low end among area school districts and subject to the laws of supply and demand. A budgeted $11,880 for raises in the coming year may be divided between the two men, Russell said, with an additional $23,602 spread among another seven administrators.
There are 13 central office administrators under Polansky and Cummings, including financial, facilities, special education and other overseers, who would earn among them more than $1.3 million in the proposed 2008-09 budget.
Board of Education proponents say Milford is low on administrators per student, compared to other area districts, and pays them less in many cases. Others, like Tamas, believe their salaries, many more than $100,000 annually, are “ridiculous” and should not be raised.
The Board of Aldermen will hear the Board of Education’s plea for restoration of the $2 million cut proposed by the Board of Finance to maintain current services. Board of Education Chairman David Hourigan said he and district administrators will answer questions from aldermen, but won’t voluntarily offer specifics on what positions or programs would be cut without the funds.
I’m sure you’ll have comments on this part:
Superintendents’ salaries in the state range from about $107,000 to more than $262,000, averaging roughly $155,000, he said.
“The districts in Fairfield County are going to be enormously higher,” Goens said. “Competition for a good superintendent is brisk.”
Cummings said he typically works more than 65 hours per five-day week, plus 10 to 12 hours on weekends, too, and could likely earn more as a high school principal in Stratford.
source: Connpost, Critics: Administrators paid too much, by NOELLE FRAMPTOM, April 27, 2008
Like a lot of people, I don’t know what a school superintendent does, but that is a lot of money. In Norwalk, we have hired from out of town or out of state and most have not stayed long. I think they are generally retired from other school systems and collecting a pension before our salary. It would be interesting to see a job description justifying those salaries. Almost everything you would think a superintendent would do, there is an assistant doing it.
This may have come to light because the teachers who are not tenured ALL got pink slips. Why? To get parents to the BoE meetings to talk about budget. Now in Milford they go right for the administrators it is the old what goes around comes around. Cummings was not the best of principals and the new superintendent replaced Firn who had questionable moral standards.
Who replaced Fern and what was the problem?
It was a scandal that he wrote a letter for a coach who was arrested for having an affair with a student on his team. This was a slap in the face to parents who entrusted ALL of their children to the school system. The coach should have been on his own.
Again, who replaced Fern? Not why Fern left.
SO sorry, I thought you read the post, Polansky.
I thought someone was hired before Polansky?
Nope, he was the replacement. Look at the article and how Milford’s BoE is going after the Administrative positions that are a waste of taxpayers’ money. That is what totally interests me. Think of the money Norwalk would save if some of the administrative staff were to be cut? I can see new teachers being afforded and supplies coming in and extra security staff yes there would be a little more sunshine to be had if only our BoE would follow Milford’s lead.
The Board needs to do backround checks on dept. heads some only finished high school!
A school system needs to be looked at like a corporation and the superintendent is the CEO. That is why they are paid so much. Believe me, in the “real” corporate world, they would make way more than what they make in public service. And the view of Norwalk citizens is skewed. A good superintendent puts in the hours, just like a good principal. They may not all be at the office behind the desk but at home on the laptop when it should be family time or down time. They are people who tend to be workaholics, or at least devoted to their mission. They are very goal oriented and organized. They have trouble shutting off their minds. And they are worth their weight in gold … you just have to get the right person.
I do not believe the school system should be looked at like a corporation because corporations also have problems. (take a look at the last few weeks on Wall Street) There are capable people in education all over the state. In Norwalk, it would be nice to see they are educated and right for the position they hold. And if they are wrong they should be let go. Milford has a history of pink slip fever every May/June to clean house of those who are not up to snuff. This way it is easier to get rid of those who don’t give it their all. Norwalk counts on their observations and assessments. But it is a clear double standard in Norwalk between the teaching staff and the administrative staff. Too many secrets shared between the big dogs and that creates a you owe me mentallity. Watchdog is right why is a person working as a SCHOOL CENTRAL OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR WITHOUT A COLLEGE EDUCATION? It goes against every logical thought of how education is supposed to work.