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No raises ahead for school administrators
(by Sue Hoffman - July 14, 2010)
No raises ahead for school administrators
By SUE HOFFMAN
Solon school officials said Monday they will not give administrators raises or step increases during the upcoming school year. The announcement was made as the school board issued new administrative contracts.
"All administrators, directors and supervisors will receive zero percent increase for the 2010-2011 school year," School Superintendent Joseph V. Regano said. "Monitors and aides have also received zero percent increases, along with medical-benefit reductions."
Mr. Regano praised administrators for the excellent performance of Solon students.
The school board issued two-year contracts with nine administrators. Those receiving new contracts are: Assistant Superintendent Deborah Siegel; Principals Fred Bolden and Mariann Moeschberger; Assistant Principals Terry Brownlow, Antoine Campbell and Felecia Bell Evans; Debbie Wendl, director of internal services; Kirk Miller, director of information systems; and Tammy Strom, director of communications services.
Their salaries range from approximately $76,000 to $134,000.
Mr. Regano said one of the comments he heard throughout the levy campaign was for the district "to try to mirror what's happening in the private sector." The public sector is "now hitting where the private sector has been," he said.
"This is the first opportunity the board has had," he said, to "conform with what's happening in our society."
Regarding the salary freeze, Mr. Regano said, "We'll see how long in terms of dollars and cents we have to do this, but it is definitely in place for the upcoming school year."
He said he expects similar results with employees through the collective-bargaining process in 2011.
The earlier the district attacks deficit issues in the budget, "the easier they are to overcome," he said.
Mr. Regano commended teachers for "a job well done" in terms of "how students learn. We're at the top or very near the top, and I commend them."
"We can't reach our educational outcomes without our employees," school board member Margo Morrow said. Regarding salaries, she said, as in business, "we know we're hitting a much more difficult financial time."
"Good administrators are hard to find," board member Julie Glavin said. "We do value our administrators always, and we are appreciative of all they do."
Board member Dorothy Seibert said, "I want to point out that Mr. Regano will have no increase at all. I respect the leadership of Mr. Regano and all the administrators recognizing the economy and what it means to our taxpayers. The leadership and the character qualities our administrators show are outstanding," while the administrative cost per pupil in Solon is among the lowest in Cuayhoga County, she said.
Mr. Regano said some of the people he met during the levy campaign "were not in a (financial) position to vote for the levy. They voted with us. I thank them. This is part of our commitment going forward."
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