The Math Behind Selecting a Superintendent

At tonight's board meeting, in response to a question from the public, it was revealed that the board is interviewing superintendent search firms to assist in finding and selecting the next educational leader.  To my knowledge, no current board members have experience in selecting a contracted (meaning not an interim) superintendent.  So hiring the right superintendent search firm could be helpful under the circumstances.  It's worth reviewing the current conditions that affect the hiring a chief school administrator in New Jersey, and particularly in Wharton.

Superintendent Salary Caps

In February 2011, salaries for superintendents were capped through regulations implemented by Governor Christie and the commissioner of education.  These caps are based on school district enrollment, supervision of additional districts, and whether the district includes a high school.

The caps were controversial because they removed the discretion school boards had had in attracting and compensating the level of experienced executive leadership they sought for their district; now the caps are just a fact of life.  But the result has been senior superintendents either leaving the state, or retiring.  Where they have retired either younger administrators have taken their place or, as in the case of Wharton, retired superintendents collect their pension while serving the school district as "interim" superintendents - able to be paid per diem for their services for up to two years.

Wharton's enrollment caps the pay for our superintendent at $135,000.  Mr. Mack is currently compensated at a daily rate equivalent to $155,000 per year - yes, on top of his pension.  How, you ask?

Sharing a Superintendent with Mine Hill
Wharton and Mine Hill pioneered shared administrative services in northern New Jersey. The architects behind this arrangement were Michele Caulfield, Steve Skelly, and me.  The Wharton/Mine Hill fit is a natural: physical proximity, and the pairing of two small districts with similar populations - Wharton a two-school K-8, and Mine Hill a one-school elementary district.  Keep in mind that some districts, like Randolph for example, consist of 3 or 4 elementary schools, a middle school, and a high school (some are bigger than that).  So how difficult could it be to find a leader able to manage two elementary- and a middle school?

Here's more reason why it makes sense to share:

Wharton school enrollment:    724 students       Corresponding salary cap:   $135,000
Mine Hill school enrollment:   368  students

                           Total:        1,092 students      Corresponding salary cap:  $ 145,000
                                     Additional pay for supervising an additional district:      10,000
                                                                           Total Compensation:      $155,000

But wait: by sharing a superintendent with Mine Hill, we only pay 60% of the superintendent's salary (3 days/week).

Wharton only pays $93,000 per year in salary for a superintendent: that's less than the minimum pay level for a superintendent in New Jersey.

By sharing a superintendent with Mine Hill, Wharton is able to pay less in salary and benefits while getting a higher level of experienced administrator than we could otherwise afford.

Two additional points I would make:

• The board is being told that it's just not possible to effectively manage two districts. It is true that a shared superintendent has twice the board meetings to attend, twice the "Back-to-school nights" and teacher evaluations (both should be expected of the superintendent), for example.  But we know from experience that an effective leader can manage two districts - it has been proven in Wharton/Mine Hill.  Our district will benefit from from engaging a full-time superintendent under contract - not an interim.  Together, both districts are in a position to afford an experienced, effective leader.
• Superintendent search firms are a costly waste of resources, if that's an option the board wants to pursue.  They will tell the board that they are uniquely qualified to "find" the most qualified candidates. In truth, the only school administrators seeking to be superintendents are those currently making less than the caps allow anyway.  And these candidates will respond to an ad in the Star Ledger that the board places, just as they would respond to a highly-paid "search consultant."

If the board seeks the guidance of a professional to manage the process, rather than one who claims to "find" a superintendent, then they can utilize (for one third the cost) the services of NJ School Board Association, to whom the board (by law) already pays dues.

Does anyone care about this?  Hell, is anyone else paying attention?  A typical human reaction to effective medicine is to say "I don't need to take this any more, I feel fine!"  I think our current board looks around and says "We're good enough," or "It's easier to just take the word of our professional administrators," or "Why are we sharing with Mine Hill anyway?"  Well, the truth is Wharton schools are in a good place, but we can be better.  And it starts with a board that can articulate with confidence a vision for the future that preserves our strengths - like shared services - while addressing our weaknesses - engaged professional leadership being one.

(If you've read this to the end, then I'm counting on you to send this link to friends and neighbors you think are interested in the future of our schools!)