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