Massapequa Schools ink 4-year contract with its principals, directors, associates
by Carolyn James

The Massapequa School Board approved a fouryear contract with the district's administrator's bargaining unit, calling for a 3.45, 3.45, 3.4 and 3.4 percent increase over the lifetime of the agreement. The contract serves nine principals, three vice principals, four directors and five curriculum associates.

"The contract provides for a fair raise that is comparable to the rate being offered for similar positions in other districts," said School Board President Richard Krebs. "We looked at the 'going rate,' and believe we came up with a good package for everyone."

"Negotiations went smoothly and while it took a long time to hammer out the language, the concepts were agreed on quickly and in a cordial process," said Dr. Tom McKillop, president of the unit. "Everyone knew what had to be done; the situation with the economy and working conditions and we worked it out."

There was some movement to help the district reduce some costs. The contract also calls for an increase in the contribution for health insurance from 15 to 20 percent, gradually over the four years. In addition, new employees in the district must have ten years of service to the district to be eligible for retirement health benefits. Previously, employees had to work for the district only five years to be eligible. That change applies to new employees only, including one who was recently hired.

Salaries for principals currently start at $117,000 and go up to $147,000, depending on experience and years with the district. junior high School principals go from $117,000 to $149,000; senior high school principals from $120,000 to $157,000, directors from $102,000 to $142,000, vice principals from $102,000, to $140,000 and curriculum associates from $97,000 to $136,000.

The contract was approved by the school board, 4-1, with Trustee Tim Taylor opposing it. He said following the vote that while he admired and appreciated the work of the administrators in the unit, the contract is too costly to taxpayers.

"What this contract is going to give us is a principal who is earning almost $170,000 in four years and this community simply cannot afford that," said Taylor. "There are no Rockefellers living in Massapequa and with a recession looming, foreclosures increasing, and a large budget increase on the horizon I have some real concerns."

McKillop said that the contract reflects what is happening across Long Island. "Massapequa is in line (with salaries in other districts) and is almost dead center," he said. "When you start getting salaries that do not compare with other districts, then you start to lose administrators and we don't want to have that happening here."

In other school business, the district

•recognized its athletes from all of its fall teams and congratulated them on victories and sportsmanship;

•accepted a $2,500 donation from Shoreville Park Civic Association to supplement the Fairfield broadcast lab equipment and purchase of a Smart Board for Fairfield Library;

•enacted an agreement with the Village of Massapequa Park to cooperatively share responsibility for two speed signs on Merrick Road near Massapequa High School;

•heard a presentation from the district's finance director Alan Adcock showing that many of the procedural and policy changes made to the district's finances over the past several years has resulted in a healthy fund balance, and favorable state audits. Those changes included not only improvements to the department's physical surroundings but also a move to computerize all of the district's finances and financial procedures, and policy changes to ensure financial accountability throughout the district.

Reader Comments

No comments have been posted. Be the first!

Other Stories With Comments:
Article	Comments
News: March 25, 2008	1
PLEASE MEET: Candidates for Fire District Commissioners' seats in...	1