Politics & Government
NJ School Superintendents Permitted Super Salaries
Most Area legislators vote 'NO'; Assemblywoman Serena DiMaso and State Senator Declan O'Scanlon vote 'YES'
Governor Phil Murphy signed legislation today (Senate Bill 692), lifting the salary caps on New Jersey's school superintendents.
Christie, a Republican, in 2011 implemented a $175,000 cap on superintendents, citing high salaries and generous perks in superintendent contracts. In the wake of that action, several high-profile superintendents resigned rather than accept a pay cut. Some districts were left with a revolving door of interim superintendents before finding a qualified long-term replacement.
Monmouth County is well represented in the 35 highest paid New Jersey superintendents' salary list-- with four making the list.
LD-11, which includes Colts Neck, is represented by state Senator Vin Gopal, and Assemblypersons Eric Houghtaling and Joanne Downey. All 3 voted 'NO.'
Senator Gopal stated, "...lifting the cap doesn’t send a great message when schools are undergoing funding cuts. I don’t buy the argument...” referencing the argument that towns are having difficulty retaining superintendents with salary limits.
Marlboro and the Freehold Regional High School District--as with other school districts throughout Monmouth County, will see their share of state school funding cut in the upcoming 2019-2020 school year.
Controversial LD-13 representatives, state Senator Declan O'Scanlon, R-Little Silver, and Assemblywoman Serena DiMaso, R-Holmdel, voted 'YES' to lift the superintendent salary caps. Assemblywoman Amy Handlin, R-Lincroft, who is retiring at the end of the year, was the sole legislator from LD-13 that voted 'NO.'
Provisions in most superintendent contracts permit Boards of Education to begin negotiations if there is altering or modifications to current law regarding salaries. It should be shortly expected that superintendents will be demanding re-negotiations pertaining to the salary clauses in their respective contracts.
Assemblywoman Serena DiMaso, who sits on the Assembly Education Committee, had this to say about lifting the salary caps: “If a taxpayer thinks a superintendent is being paid too much, they have an opportunity each year to vote in members of the board of education that will be able to represent those concerns.”
This November, taxpayers will have their opportunity to represent their concerns. Assemblywoman Serena DiMaso is seeking re-election to the General Assembly.