School

Contract Details

Released

By John Voket

The morning after Newtown School Superintendent Janet Robinson received a three-year contract renewal that included a 2.5 percent raise as well as increases in designated reimbursements toward her own tax-sheltered annuity plan and her teacher’s retirement fund, she pointed out in an interview with The Bee that she was still the lowest compensated lead administrator in the region.

“This is the lowest paid superintendent salary in Fairfield County,” said Dr Robinson said.

In supporting the superintendent’s pay increase from $169,932 before benefits to $174,180, it was noted that there are 19 school district’s with profiles similar to Newtown’s — and Dr Robinson and Board of Education Chairman William Hart said the increase still positioned Newtown’s top paid school official at five percent below the average District Reference Group superintendent salary.

The superintendent also noted that while her assistant Dr Linda Gejda and district Business Manager Ron Bienkowski received raises the previous year, she did not.

“I hope people understand that I have been flat for three years,” said Dr Robinson, “as a matter of fact, I went backwards last year.”

Last year, Dr Robinson said, she did not receive a $5,000 performance bonus she had received the previous year. She also said she did not receive a bonus this year, on top of the raise.

(Copies of the current and previous contracts for all three administrators can be reviewed in the Source Files section of NewtownBee.com.)

An analysis of the Dr Robinson’s former and current contract also shows that besides the bumps to her annuity compensation — from $20,000 to $20,500 — and retirement plan contribution — from $2,200 to $2,255 — her fringe benefit package remained virtually untouched.

Besides clarifying that Dr Robinson is entitled to receive all benefits provided to other district administrators, a rider on her contract continues to provide for her annual membership dues for memberships of the following organizations: Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents, American Association of School Administrators, American Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, Phi Delta Kappa, Southern Fairfield County Superintendent’s Association, and Western Connecticut Superintendents Association.

While the costs or value of these professional memberships are not included in the contract detail, the following added benefits are outlined:

*The Board of Education agrees to reimburse the superintendent for all travel expenses incurred in the performance of her duties under this contract and agrees that for the use of her own automobile, she shall receive an annual reimbursement of $4,800.

*During the term of this agreement, the superintendent shall receive six weeks vacation per year and be permitted to carry over and use a total of 21 days of accumulated vacation time.

*The superintendent shall contribute for health insurance at the rate of 20 percent of the premium of the group medical and dental insurance program.

*The Board of Education shall provide long-term disability income protection for 662/3 percent of the superintendent’s annual salary, not to exceed a maximum monthly benefit of $9,255.

*The Board of Education shall pay for long-term health care insurance in the amount of $2,500 to the carrier of her choice.

The contract also stipulates that Dr Robinson is authorized to undertake consulting work, speaking engagements, writing, lecturing, or other outside professional work and obligations provided such activities do not interfere with the meeting of her responsibilities as superintendent.

And it encourages the continuing professional growth through her participation in operations, programs, and other activities conducted or sponsored by local, state, and national school administrator associations; seminars and courses offered by public or private educational institutions; and information meetings with other persons whose particular skills or backgrounds would serve to improve the capacity of the superintendent to perform her professional responsibilities for the district.

Therefore, district permits a reasonable amount of professional development for the superintendent, as she deems appropriate, to attend to such matters and pay for the necessary fees for travel, registration, and subsistence expenses.

Dr Robinson’s contract also clarifies that she “has the general authority to act at her discretion, subject to later approval by the Board of Education, upon all emergency matters and those as to which her powers and duties are not expressly limited or are not particularly set forth.”

Other Top Administrators

Dr Gejda’s contract increases her pay from $145,364 to $148,271, and her annuity investment compensation from $7,500 to $7,650. She is provided 20 days of paid vacation with a 21-day annual carryover permitted.

The assistant superintendent also receives $300 per month travel allowance or a maximum of $3,600 per year, as well as dues paid for her membership in the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents, American Association of School Administrators, and Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development.

Mr Bienkowski received a pay increase from $143,214 to $144,646; his number of vacation days remains at 21. In addition, the business manager will be eligible for sick days in accordance with the administrators’ contract; will receive five personal leave days; insurance benefits equal to those contained in the administrators’ contract; and is expected to contribute 18 percent toward his annual health care and dental premium cost.

The director of business will be paid $300 per month for the use of his vehicle for travel for the performance of his duties. And as long as the director of business does not belong to either the Town of Newtown Pension Plan or the Connecticut State Retirement Plan, the board will fund an alternative retirement plan selected by the director of business, with an annual contribution of $21,311.

The board will also provide reimbursement for reasonable expenses for Mr Bienkowski’s professional development activities, as approved by the superintendent.