When your superintendent makes more than the governor: public education's priority problem

The American education lobby is caught in a pickle.

On one hand, advocates and influencers are trying to convince people that public education is chronically underfunded, even going so far as to claim that schools are “starving.”

On the other hand, watchdogs have documented countless examples of waste and misuse of funds—everything from the McKinney school district’s $70 million high school football stadium to the La Joya school district’s $20 million water park to the Brownsville school district’s 65-foot, state-of-the-art digital scoreboard that is “the largest of its kind in Texas.”

Other examples exist too, but perhaps the most instructive involves superintendent pay packages. After all, leadership starts at the top...

https://thehill.com/opinion/education/417802-when-your-school-superintendent-makes-more-than-the-governor-public?utm_content=buffer63cb5&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer&fbclid=IwAR3vcG4v_Y1vIj9jz6BYJnarH0WERTDaD6anN1pTiVtZRNowr1luUdHmxhg

Balt. School System paid out $46 million in bonuses, overtime pay and accrued leave, pushing the earnings of many employees well into six figures

"The bottom line for taxpayers and parents, is they want money in the classroom...



http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/baltimore-city/bs-md-ci-school-system-salaries-20150321-story.html#page=1

Voluntarily asked for pay reduction...

...and look at what the job entails.

From New York State Education Department

...King requested that the salary for the position be reduced by 15%, from the current $250,000, in recognition of the challenging fiscal environment facing New York State and the State Education Department. 

...As Commissioner of Education, Dr. King will serve as chief executive officer of the State Education Department and as President of the University of the State of New York (USNY). USNY is comprised of more than 7,000 public and independent elementary and secondary schools; 270 public, independent and proprietary colleges and universities; 7,000 libraries; 900 museums; 25 public broadcasting facilities; 3,000 historical repositories; 436 proprietary schools; 48 professions encompassing more than 761,000 licensees plus 240,000 certified educators; and services for children and adults with disabilities.

Stamford Advocate.com: "I did not take the job because of the salary," Starr said

Starr will get raise in Md.

...Last year, Starr's base salary at Stamford was $215,000. It was to increase to $220,000 in the second year of his three-year contract.

"I did not take the job because of the salary," Starr said during a phone interview Wednesday afternoon, shortly after signing his contract. "I didn't know what the salary would be. I took the job because it was the right job for me at the right time."

Starr, who served as Stamford's superintendent for six years, is in Montgomery County "house hunting" with his family.

"Whether we buy or rent, we've got to find something that will work for us, and be in the neighborhood that enables me to be able to commute without having to go too far, and one that's right for our family. If we buy, we buy. If we rent, we rent. It depends on what's available and what fits," Starr said.

In September, Starr and his family rented a home in Stamford, and moved to Connecticut from Brookly, N.Y...

Read more: http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/Starr-will-get-raise-in-Md-1375249.php#ixzz1M6A7DbAt

WTOP: "His [Starr's] contract allows him to accept outside work"

Full story at link below:

WTOP: Montgomery Co. superintendent to make $250K

NBC4: New Montgomery Co. Schools Chief To Make Pretty Penny

By John Wist

Besides inheriting one of the most highly acclaimed school districts in the nation, new Montgomery County Schools superintendent Joshua Starr will also be putting away a pretty sizable paycheck.

NBC4 Story Here

Starr's compensation puts him on par with New York, Los Angeles chiefs

Montgomery school board approves $250,000 salary for new superintendent
by Andrew Ujifusa | Staff Writer

The next superintendent of Montgomery County Public Schools will earn $250,000 in annual salary, in the same league as school chiefs in New York City and Los Angeles, under the terms of a four-year contract approved Tuesday by the Board of Education. 

Joshua P. Starr, currently the superintendent in Stamford, Conn., also could earn salary increases based on annual evaluations that include specific performance goals for the school system such as student achievement. By Oct. 1, Starr and the school board are expected to agree on the goals. The goals and objectives are intended to be made part of the contract, and then made public... 

...The board also "presumed" it will give Starr annual salary increases, taking into account the performance goals, "fiscal realities" and salary increases given to other school system employees. Starr also will receive $35,000 in annual deferred compensation and $18,750 annually toward his retirement, as well as medical, dental and life insurance. For "technology support," he will receive a personal computer or laptop, a Blackberry or an iPhone, software, and a telefax/printer machine. 

In addition to receiving a vehicle for both business and personal purposes, Starr also is entitled to reimbursement for "reasonable out-of-pocket" expenses, and is required to submit a monthly expense report to the school board president. He also can receive up to $30,000 in relocation expenses...

...Starr's earnings now appear to be on par with superintendents of the largest school systems in the country. The Empire Center for New York State Policy's database of public salaries reported former New York City schools chancellor Joel Klein's annual salary at $250,000, the same amount paid to the superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District in 2009-2010, when Ramon Cortines was superintendent, the district's salary chart shows.

Full article here.


Note:
The New York City Department of Education is the largest system of public schools in the United States, serving about 1.1 million students in nearly 1,700 schools.

Total Los Angeles Unified School District Enrollment 678,441

Total MCPS enrollment 144,000

Weast eliminates job title, keeps administrator and salary

Remember in June 2010 when Superintendent Jerry Weast bemoaned the elimination of the Chief Academic Officer position in his list of budget cuts? Here's what his June 8, 2010 memo to the Board said:

The chief academic officer (CAO) position and $221,081 is eliminated for FY 2011. The position is a key leadership position that coordinates the work of the offices of Curriculum and Instruction, Organizational Development, Special Education and Student Services, and School Performance. The CAO fosters a work environment that is student focused and results-oriented. The CAO ensures that these four offices work collaboratively to implement strategic initiatives designed to eliminate the achievement gap and improve academic achievement for all students. Eliminating this position will impede communication and clear articulation of system priorities, integration and alignment of the work of the four offices, and cross-functional and collaborative work processes that promote effective teamwork.

So what happened to the person that had held the CAO position?

Nothing.

The person is still there, in the same office but now with a new title "Special Advisor in the Office of the Deputy Superintendent of Schools" and receiving a salary of $182,260. Benefits for this position are unknown.

There is no evidence that the position "Special Advisor in the Office of the Deputy Superintentendent of Schools" existed prior to this year. How was a position cut from the Deputy Superintendent's office if the person is still there with a new title? Looks like the CAO title was deleted and a new position was created in the same office.

How does the renaming of a position constitute a budget cut? 

5 Principals Travel During School Year

How important are principals to the day to day function of a Montgomery County public school? 

These 5 principals were able to travel to China during the school year. While their travel may (no public records exist to detail the cost of this trip to taxpayers) have been paid for by a private entity, 5 public schools lost the services of these 5 administrators for almost 2 weeks. 

Are full-time school administrators on travel during the school year a luxury that can be afforded in this economy? 

Patch: A World Away

MCPS Principals Travel to China, Tour Schools.

For nine days in early December, Williams along with four other MCPS principals, toured Chinese elementary, middle and high schools as well as several cultural landmarks. She was accompanied by MCPS Principals Karen Gregory of Maryvale ES, Susan Shenk of Travilah ES, Darlene Simmons of RICA and Paulette Smith of Cabin John MS.

The purpose of the trip was to observe how Chinese schools are conducted and to build a partnership between the two school administrations. Yunnan Province administrators hope to establish an exchange program with Montgomery County Public Schools.

MCPS has yet to take a stance on the offer, according to Williams.

"They feel the need to do a better job teaching science and thinking," said Williams. "They want to have their kids educated in the U.S..."

Salaries of local government brass top Biden's, Cabinet secretaries' | Washington Examiner

Salaries of local government brass top Biden's, Cabinet secretaries' Washington Examiner

...Yet, that money is pocket change compared with the salaries of school superintendents and higher eduction officials lining the upper echelon of county and state payrolls. Outgoing Montgomery County Schools Superintendent Jerry Weast, for example, earned nearly $500,000 this year, including benefits...

Read more at the Washington Examiner: http://washingtonexaminer.com/local/dc/2010/12/top-local-government-brass-rake-big-bucks?sms_ss=blogger&at_xt=4d18ce46f51c94ad%2C0#ixzz19LDjJWY7

MCPS top 100 earners

Top 100 "out of school" earners in MCPS as of November 2010.

(Does not include contractors, principals, or assistant principals)

A significant health care and retirement benefits package is also provided to all employees. 

Data provided courtesy of MCPS Public Information Office

Weast Jerry	216,792.00		Superintendent of Schools (special benefits package not included in this figure)
Bowers Larry	202,540.00		Chief Operating Officer
Lacey Frieda	202,540.00		Deputy Superintendent of Schools
Leleck  Jo Ann	182,260.00		Special Advisor to the Deputy Superintendent
Stetson Frank	178,686.00		Chief School Performance Officer
Bulson Sean	162,623.00		Community Superintendent
Collette Sherwin	162,623.00		Chief Technology Officer
Foose  Renee	162,623.00		Associate Superintendent - Shared Accountability
Goodman Carole	162,623.00		Associate Superintendent - Human Resources
Hermann Ursula	162,623.00		Community Superintendent
Kimball LaVerne	162,623.00		Community Superintendent
Lang Erick	162,623.00		Associate Superintendent - Curriculum and Instruction
Liebes Sherry	162,623.00		Community Superintendent
Mills Bronda	162,623.00		Community Superintendent
Richardson Chrisandra	162,623.00		Associate Superintendent - Special Education and Student Services
Talley Adrian	162,623.00		Community Superintendent
Virga Jr  James	162,623.00		Consulting Principal
Edwards Brian	156,142.00		Chief of Staff
Ikheloa Ikhide	156,142.00		Chief of Staff
Brake Kathy	147,623.00		Director of School Performance
Confino Robin	147,623.00		Exec Director Chief Operating Office
Greene Denise	147,623.00		Director of School Performance
Greismann Zvi	147,623.00		Attorney
Hollingshead Donna	147,623.00		Exec Director - Deputy Superintendent of Schools
Smith Myra	147,623.00		Director of School Performance
Spatz Marshall	147,623.00		Director of Management, Budget and Planning
Steinberg David	147,623.00		Director II
Webb Lori-Chris	147,623.00		Exec Director - Deputy Superintendent of Schools
Abrunzo Pat	146,623.00		Director of School Performance
Burke John	146,623.00		Director II
Carrasco Moreno	146,623.00		Director I - Secondary Leadership Training
Collins Betty	146,623.00		Director II - Instructional Leadership Support
Creel Martin	146,623.00		Director II - Enriched and Innovative Programs
DeGraba  Susanne	146,623.00		Chief Financial Officer
Ferrell Linda	146,623.00		Unknown
Frappolli Raymond	146,623.00		Director, Human Resources and Development
Kline Carroll	146,623.00		Director II- School Improvement Initiatives - PLCI
Lazor Kathleen	146,623.00		Director II - Department of Materials Managemen
Martinez Jeffrey	146,623.00		Director II - Human Resources and Development
Morrison Sylvia	146,623.00		Director II - Department of Instructional Programs
Strubel Eliz	146,623.00		Director of School Performance
Whigham Wayne	146,623.00		Director I - Appeals/Transfer Team
Zarchin Michael	146,623.00		Consulting Principal
Newsome Jr.   Edward	146,123.00		Director of School Performance
Brown  Elizabeth	145,123.00		Director II - Department of Curriculum and Instruction
Davis Eric	145,123.00		Director I - Department of Family and Community Partnerships
Heath Doreen	145,123.00		Director II - Department of Strategic Project Management and Planning
Kuhar Cary	145,123.00		Director II - Department of Infrastructure and Operations
Mason Gwendolyn	145,123.00		Director II - Department of Special Education Services
Pattik Judith	145,123.00		Unknown
Song James	145,123.00		Director I - Department of Facilities Management
Watkins Todd	145,123.00		Director II - Transportation Central Administration
Stokes Elton	143,623.00		Director II - Department of Information and Application Services
Hellmuth Robert	140,940.00		Director - Department of School Safety and Security
Adams Jevoner	139,495.00		Supervisor - Student Services Appeals Unit
Allie Catherine	139,495.00		Director I - Skillful Teaching and Leading
Beattie  William	139,495.00		Dir Systemwide Athletics
Howard Betty	139,495.00		Coordinator - Student Services Appeals Unit
Lanham Tarason Felicia	139,495.00		Director I - Title I
Butler Jane	138,495.00		Staffing Coordinator, Secondary Team
Graves Donna	138,495.00		Director I - Equity Initiatives
Lavorgna Cheri	138,495.00		Director I - Technology, Reporting and Systems Support
Levine Gary	138,495.00		Administrator Special Assignment - Employee Services Administration
Montgomery Pamela	138,495.00		Director I - Systemwide Safety Programs
Schaefer Ellen	138,495.00		Coordinator - Montgomery County Infants and Toddlers Program
Silvio Jody	138,495.00		Coordinator - Curriculum and Instructional Programs
Thomas Michael	138,495.00		Principal Special Assgmnt
Bailey  Gail	137,995.00		Director, School Library Media Programs
Woodson Karen	137,995.00		Director - Division of ESOL/Bilingual Programs
Joseph Shawn	137,879.00		Director of School Performance
Bartels Brian	136,995.00		Director - Psychological Services
Cepaitis Theresa	136,995.00		Director I - Elementary Integrated Curriculum Team
Doody Robert	136,995.00		Controller
Hemphill Sharon	136,995.00		Director I - Staff Development Teacher Project Team
Higgins Roy	136,995.00		Director I - Division of Maintenance
Irvin Frances	136,995.00		Unknown
Kevin John	136,995.00		Investment Officer
Lake-Parcan Lily	136,995.00		Director, Middle School Instruction & Achievement
Langford-Brown Ebony	136,995.00		Director, Elem. School Instruction and Achievement
McGaughey Philip	136,995.00		Director, Division of Procurement
Milwit Nicola	136,995.00		Exec Asst Chief Operating Office
Mohr Diane	136,995.00		Executive Assistant
Piacente Felicia	136,995.00		Director - Division of Prekindergarten Special Programs and Related Services
Silverstein Roni	136,995.00		Director - Administrator Training and Support
Steinberg Laura	136,995.00		Staff Assistant, BOE
Salandy-Defour Ricardo	136,993.68		IT Systems Engineer
Felder Monique	136,495.00		Director I
King Suzann	136,495.00		Staff Assistant, BOE
Williams Stephanie	136,495.00		Director I - Department of Policy, Records and Reporting
Crispell Bruce	135,495.00		Director Div Long Range Planning
Cordova Berrios Nivea	134,549.00		Director I - Residency and International Admissions
Bell Gregory	133,104.00		Supervisor, Diversity Initiatives
Kolan Kathy	133,104.00		Supervisor, Transition Services Unit
Lipsky Dick	133,104.00		Supervisor, MCPS TV
Wilson Mary	133,104.00		Unable to determine
Neff Steven	133,049.00		Director I - Pupil Personnel Services
Bader Julie	132,104.00		Supervisor - Child Find/Early Childhood Disabilities Unit
Defosse Pamela	132,104.00		Supervisor - Speech and Language Services
Janus  Patricia	132,104.00		Supervisor - Physical disabilities programs

MCPS pay facts

The following information has been provided courtesy of the MCPS Public Information Office.

• Number of MCPS employees who earn more than $100,000 per year: 2,465
• Number of MCPS employees who earn more than $70,000 per year: 8,028
• Highest paid school principal:  Michael Doran (Wootton High School):  $150,123
• Total number of MCPS employees (includes part-time employees): 21,432

MCPS Principals $146,123; Fairfax Principals $110,426

Washingtonian Magazine is reporting that the median salary for a High-school principal in Montgomery County is $146,123. 


According to the same article, the median salary for a high school principal in Fairfax County is $110,426.


The last time the Montgomery County public had any detailed information on MCPS salaries was in 2006 when The Examiner obtained MCPS salary information for all MCPS employees (consultants and  staff benefits excluded). 


In 2006, MCPS principals were shown as making between $112,670 and $127,000 in the information released by The Examiner. 


In March of 2010, Superintendent Weast refused to release detailed MCPS staff salary and consultant compensation information to the public unless $2,111 was paid for the information. 


Citizens that wish to cut a check for $2,111 for this public information can send their money to:


Superintendent Jerry Weast
Montgomery County Public Schools
850 Hungerford Drive
Rockville, MD 20850


The Parents' Coalition would make public any information you receive.

Montgomery County, MD Employee Salaries and Overtime Earnings - 2009 | Washington Examiner

The Examiner was able to obtain a list of Montgomery County employees and their salaries. 

Montgomery County, MD Employee Salaries and Overtime Earnings - 2009 | Washington Examiner

Did The Examiner have to pay for this public information? Did it take the County 20 hours to compile the list? 


Remember that it would take MCPS 22 hours to count all of the CONSULTANTS working for MCPS, and 20 hours to compile a list of all employees and their salaries. 


And even though those two pieces of information are public, MCPS would charge a member of the public $787 for the list of public employees and their salaries, and $1,324 for the list of the consultants that MCPS hires and their "fees."


Because we frequently get requests for MCPS salary and consultant information, here is the MCPS response once again. 


MCPS FOIA Staff and Consultants 2010

For the 1st time in 11 years...Jerry Weast's Contract

In other public school jurisdictions the Superintendent's contract is a public document that is brought before the Board of Education and available to the public when approved by the Board. But not here in Montgomery County, that is, until today. We filed a Maryland Public Information Act request for Superintendent Weast's contract and it finally arrived.


After 11 years, Superintendent Jerry Weast's contract is finally public.


For the first time ever in Montgomery County, we present Superintendent Jerry Weast's contract and its amendments:

Superintendent Jerry Weast's Contract

Berthiaume: "They outwit, outlast and outplay."

Board of Education member Laura Berthiaume writes about the Board of Education's failure to exercise their power to oversee the school system in a letter to the editor in The Washington Post.

Maybe it's time for voters to "outwit, outlast and outplay" the incumbent Board of Education members and vote them off the island?

The Washington Post - Letter to Editor: Who really controls the Montgomery schools
By Laura V. Berthiaume
Rockville
Sunday, July 25, 2010

...In the balance of power between the board of education and the bureaucracy, the superintendent and his staff hold all the cards. They outwit, outlast and outplay. In my experience, the board actually has little to no impact on union contract negotiations: The superintendent and his staff negotiate the contracts. Even if there ever were actual board opposition, it would be met with a fierce, resolute wall of angry staff.

Given that Dr. Weast is the one who negotiated and recommended the contracts, budget and benefits over the past 10 years that are now the subject of so much complaint, is it not hypocritical to excoriate the MCEA for unrealistic salaries and benefits yet praise Dr. Weast and demand that his contract be renewed? Both The Post and the voters should consider this issue carefully this fall.

Examiner: MCPS Admits Misleading Board & Public

DC Examiner: Special-needs programs get boost in Montgomery

Click on the DC Examiner link above to launch the online edition of the newspaper. The story shown in the image to the left is on page 6.

MCPS' public relations office was responding in this News in Brief item to the Parents' Coalition blog post titled $90,000 to Marriott Foundation?

MCPS' public relations office now says the Board of Education memorandum was "misleading". That memorandum was prepared for the Consent Agenda for today's Board of Education meeting. If the meaning of the line item isn't clear, how do Board members know what the funding will be used for? The Consent Agenda is a "no discussion" vote. There is no restriction on the funding noted, the Board is simply approving a straight check to a private foundation.

While the MCPS public relations office admits that the memorandum to the Board was misleading, they neglect to explain why no other vendors were considered for this expenditure. This is not the only vendor in Montgomery County that provides transitions services for high school students. Why were all the other vendors cut out of this funding opportunity?

How many other "misleading" items are there in the Consent Agenda memorandum? Will the Board of Education simply raise their hands and give unanimous consent to these expenditures, or will they start doing their job and exerting oversight over the spending of MCPS Operating Budget funds?

MCPS is hiring! Apply Today - Pay $71k -$100k

Sorry teachers, this job isn't for you. This job is apparently to replace the employee who just moved to Houston with the previous MCPS Director of Communications. 


Now what is interesting is that in the memo that Superintendent Jerry Weast wrote to the Board of Education on June 8th, he detailed the elimination of the position of Director of Communications, and announced the reorganization of the Communications Department. 


But, here's one PR position that isn't being eliminated. In fact, MCPS can't wait to fill it! Apply by June 17th! 


DC Public Affairs + Communications Jobs blog:

Montgomery County Public Schools is hiring a Senior Communications Specialist (search job # 10001I2 - yes that'sone-I-two at the end, or use job title in keyword box). Wide variety of communications competencies sought: excellent and speedy writing skills and understanding of K-12 education issues or the proven ability to quickly and thoroughly comprehend complex issues and policy are among them. Fluency in a second language a plus. Bonus coverage you won't find in description: salary range: $71k-$100k, and MCPS would prefer to see applications by June 17.

What Superintendent Weast said in his June 8, 2010 memo to the Board of Education: 

Reorganization of the Office of Communications and Family Outreach

On May 21, 2010, I informed the Board that Ms. Aggie Alvez, director, Office of Communications and Family Outreach (OCFO), had resigned from MCPS as of June 1, 2010, and that the departments and units reporting to Ms. Alvez would be temporarily reassigned to Mr. Brian K. Edwards, chief of staff. As part of the recommended actions on the FY 2011 Operating Budget, I am recommending that the OCFO director’s position be eliminated. I will inform the Board of any changes with the OCFO departments and units by June 30, 2010.

What the person who had this position was making in 2006:

$50,523.20

22 hours to count MCPS Consultants!

How many Consultants do you think were paid to work for MCPS in 2009? 

Well, we don't have the answer. Superintendent Jerry Weast says it would take 22 HOURS of staff time to track all of the MCPS Consultants and their pay from 2009! He will only provide that information if a member of the public pays him $1,324! Anyone want to pay up out of their pocket to find out how much of your tax dollars were spent so that Superintendent Weast could pay Consultants to work for MCPS in 2009? 

Here's a hint as to how much Superintendent Weast spends on consultants: At the June 8, 2010, Board of Education meeting the Board will authorize over $1 MILLION DOLLARS in payments to "CONSULTANTS."

What were the salaries of MCPS staff in 2009? 

Oh, no, you can't have that information either unless you pony up $787! You don't think MCPS has a computer program that can just pop this information out, do you? Goodness, no. It would take Superintendent Weast 20 HOURS of staff time to pull up the list of all MCPS staff and their salaries.

Below is the answer to the Maryland Public Information Act request that revealed these facts.

An April 20, 2010, request to Montgomery County Councilmember and Education Committee Chair Valerie Ervin to make MCPS salary and consultant information available to the public has gone unanswered. Guess this information isn't important to the Council decision making.  


Take a look at the public employee salary information that is available in New York State!

MCPS FOIA Staff and Consultants 2010

Weast secret stash of $320,000 could fund 5 more teachers, but it won't...

We have seen this before here and here. Superintendent Jerry Weast has stashes of cash that he pulls out from time to time. We will see this again on June 8, 2010, when he produces funds from royalties received from ____________. Sorry, can't fill in the blank. Superintendent Weast isn't telling where these dollars came from. See his memo to the Board of Education below.

On Tuesday, Weast will reveal that MCPS received $194,704 in FY10 from an outside source. Funny how this money is just surfacing now, after the "tough" budget decisions have been made for FY11.

Couldn't these funds have gone to fund teacher salaries and keep teachers in classrooms for FY11? Of course. But that wouldn't be any fun.

Superintendent Weast will combine the $194,704 received from ________ with $126,139 in "net assets" to fund something that the Board of Education has never approved, the MyMCPS online community.

The Board of Education has only been allowed to discuss this new MyMCPS online system that will be funded with this new found cash.

If they were to vote on it they might have to make a "tough" decision! Nothing new here.

Funding $320,000 in experimental technology is a lot more fun that funding classroom teachers, right?

4.3.1 Enterprise