Capping pay of superintendents
Regarding "School districts want to lift salary limits" (Page A-1, Feb. 9):
The superintendent's pay cap did not go far enough because it's not a real cap. Nowhere in the article was there mention of "merit bonuses." Superintendents can receive up to 15 percent more than the maximum pay through a merit-pay bonus.
In 2011, Lodi's superintendent was being paid $198,690. The cap set his maximum salary at $167,000. Every year since the cap went into effect, he has gotten the bonus. Lodi never saw a real savings. And many would argue that $167,000 is too much for the job being done.
The merit criteria being used by Lodi are absurd. From what I can tell, they are not tied to academic performance. They are not tied to college preparedness, SAT scores or other standardized testing. Some of the criteria that have been used for the annual merit bonus of about $25,000 include more "walkthroughs" of the schools and purchasing more smart boards.
The Record reported that New Jersey property taxes increased by a little more than 2 percent last year. That is understandable, because the reforms that Governor Christie touted in 2010 have too many exceptions and too many loopholes and are not enforced properly. The superintendent pay cap is just one example.
I encourage residents of Bergen County to look into the merit bonuses being approved by school boards and the county superintendent. They will be surprised.
Ryan Curioni
Lodi, Feb. 9
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