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West G school administrators get pay raise
(by Sue Hoffman - August 25, 2010)
West G school administrators get pay raise
By SUE HOFFMAN
The West Geauga School Board voted 3-1 Monday to approve a 2 percent raise for 11 administrators and four supervisors. The raises are effective retroactively to Aug. 1 for administrators and July 1 for supervisors.
Voting in favor of the raise were board members Sally Gillmore, Dean Patterson and Ben Pintabona.
Board member Michael Kilroy opposed it, saying he wanted more flexibility than issuing an across-the-board increase on the base salaries. He said he would feel more comfortable postponing the issue until the next meeting, allowing time for more study, as well as input from board President William Beers, who was absent Monday.
He said he was in favor of a performance-based system for pay increases, which is being studied by the district.
"I think we've discussed it ad nauseum," Mrs. Gillmore said. She said the raise should be given.
School Superintendent Thomas Diringer, who started with the district Aug. 3, said it was his understanding that administrators did not receive an increase in the 2009-2010 school year "and currently have none for 2010-2011."
He said teachers received a pay increase in 2010-2011. "The teacher pay increase is going to cost the district about $185,000. The administrator increase is about $21,000," he said.
Dr. Diringer said he recommended the raise. The "timing isn't particularly good," as "it should have been addressed some months ago," he said. "It's important to treat our leadership fairly."
The district is working on a merit-based system for raises for the 2011-2012 school year, he said. The administrators' increase is "a current issue."
Mr. Patterson said, "Our administrators have done an outstanding job." He referred to a report at the meeting by Brenda Armstrong, director of academic services, about the district's expected state rating of "excellent with distinction" for the third year.
"I don't want administrators to feel we don't appreciate what they've done," Mr. Patterson said.
Administrators receiving the increase include: Ms. Armstrong; Principals Ken Bernacki, Denise Brewster, Jim Kish and David Toth; Assistant Principals Jay Bishop and Ron Dahlhofer; Athletic Director John Cardiero; intervention consultant Paulette Cutujian; Debra Iammarino, director of pupil personnel; and Stacie Packard, school psychologist.
Supervisors receiving the raise include: Ed Chandler, systems technician; Dan Eloff, supervisor of buildings and grounds; Nancy Gordon, transportation supervisor; and Bonnie Gruttadauria, director of communications.
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