As District 150 continues to struggle with their structural deficit, calls for cuts at the administration building have started coming up again. I thought it might help the discussion to have some hard numbers with which to work. So I requested some information on administrators and consultants from District 150 and would like to share the results with you and ask for your feedback.
Consultants
According to information obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request, the district employs just four consultants:
| Consultant | Per Diem Rate |
|---|---|
| Dr. Cindy Fischer | $350.00 |
| Dr. Judy Helm | $500.00 |
| Mary Ann Randle | $315.83 |
| Dr. Thom Simpson | $476.44 |
As of February 23, 2009, District 150 had compensated Dr. Fischer $7,525 for 21.5 days and reimbursed her $3,161.92 in expenses. These expenses were not specified in the report. Total paid for September through November 2008 was $10,686.92.
Dr. Judy Helm, who has her own business called Best Practices, Inc., has been compensated $21,750 for 43.5 days between July 2008 and January 2009, and has been reimbursed $167.91 for expenses. Total compensation since July 2008 is $21,917.91.
Mary Ann Randle’s salary is paid for by two grants: “PAS” and “Prevention Initiative.” No further information was given regarding either grant. Since July 2008, she has been paid $17,054.95 for 54 days and has been reimbursed $1,743 in expenses. Total compensation since July 2008 is $18,797.95.
Dr. Thom Simpson, whose job is listed on the district’s website as “Strategic Planning,” has his compensation split up into a base per diem rate of $455.90 and a 4.5% ($20.54/day) contribution to his Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (non-certified state pension program). Since July 2008, he has been compensated $63,128.30 for 132.5 days, plus $2,000 for a “mentor stipend.”
That’s it for consultants. If they were to all be eliminated, it would come to $116,531.08 in cost between July 2008 and the present, which covers about 7 months. To extrapolate this out to an annual figure, it comes out to roughly $200,000.
Administration
The list of administration staff includes 123 employees at a total payroll of $9,312,462.41. This includes 35 principals, 13 assistant principals, and 7 deans.
Read the whole report (PDF file)
I found it interesting that school principals and assistant principals are some of the highest-paid administrators in District 150. Of the 23 employees making over $100,000 per year, 16 are principals or assistant principals. Other administrators making six figures are:
- Superintendent Ken Hinton ($202,389.98)
- Assistant Superintendent Cheryl Sanfilip ($135,927)
- Controller/Treasurer Guy Cahill ($130,889.98) — has since left D150, of course; this information was current as of February 23
- Associate Superintendent Herschel Hannah ($117,183)
- Human Resources director Tom Broderick ($110,472.24)
- Academic Officer Mary Davis ($110,000.08)
- Research/Testing/Assessment director Bryan Chumbley ($100,092)
- “Teaching and Learning” director Susan Grzanich ($100,000)
As I’ve pointed out before, District 150 used to have just one superintendent, and that was when enrollment was larger. It’s hard for me to understand why we need to pay three superintendents a combined total of $455,499.98 — nearly half a million dollars! — to do the same job now that enrollment is so low we’re closing schools right and left. In fairness, this amount has gone down since Dr. Fischer left (and was subsequently rehired as a consultant); we used to have four superintendents. Still, I don’t see the need to wait for all these positions to be eliminated through attrition.
Also, in looking up Susan Grzanich’s responsibilities (I was curious what the “Teaching and Learning” program was all about), I found my way to this web page, which shows that this program has a staff of eight people, only three of whom show up on the list of administrators I received (Grzanich of course, plus Kathy Burke [$88,755.83] and Trish Guinee [$93,557.07]). The other five people are all listed as having offices in the administration building, but are apparently not considered “administration,” despite titles such as “benchmark specialist” and “instructional restructuring advisor.” It makes you wonder just how many non-administrators are employed at District 150.
I would be interested in my readers’ thoughts on this information. My overall thought is this: there is some fat that can be trimmed from the administration side of the district’s operations. I don’t mean that to sound harsh; I honestly don’t want to see anyone lose their job, especially given the current economic downturn. But the sad fact is that jobs are going to be lost. The district is already talking about closing a high school, some elementary schools, and laying off no small number of teachers.
Given that fact, it’s hard to understand why we would nevertheless need to maintain the same number of highly-paid administrators to oversee that shrinking student and teacher base. I’m sure all these jobs have value, but cost-cutting/layoffs should start in the places that have the least student impact. I would suggest that assistant/associate superintendents arguably have the absolute least student impact.
Nice Work CJ. Good info. Stuff that many people have long cited but hadnt seen the actual figures. This needs to be sent around.
Why are some people holding two positions?
Some people are asst principals or principals and have another job… like athletic director.
What’s with Arcaute? We are paying $30K a year to be a 6 sigma voodoo director along with his regular $38k salary?
Asst principals making $100,000 a year… unbelievable. No wonder our economy is going down the toilet. Assistant principals make $100,000 a a year… oops, I mean for 9 months.
Excellent article. Thank you for lifting back the veil.
Questions about dual positions: At one time high schools had two administrative assistants–one of which served as Athletic Director. As a cost-cutting measure, one of the assistants was eliminated–and became a teacher for half the day and athletic director for the other half.
I would be very curious to know when each of these positions (especially, central administrators) came into being. I can’t help but believe that there are now many more administrators, directors, coordinators, etc., then there were when District 150 student enrollment was considerably higher. Also, I have a difficult time believing that all of these positions require a full day’s work, five days a week, nine months of the year.
Kcdad: Assistant principals work more than 9 months–not sure whether it is more than 10 months. I think they leave July 1 and report before teachers return in August–not sure about that.
I’m not sure that this list includes teachers who work half the day as coodinators.
Also, I have a questions about position made for through grants. Do these grants last forever? If not, when the grant runs out, is the position eliminated or picked up by District 150.
For instance (although maybe not a grant), Sandra Burke was hired for a short-term job–to coordinate Manual’s restructuring. Since then, a new position has been created for her.
Also, what is the per diem cost? I guess principals, etc., are paid for their trips back and forth from meetings at the board rooms??
Surely you can’t be suggesting they eliminate a UNION job… we just couldn’t have that.
What union jobs? Administrators don’t have a union, do they?
Administrators’ Union… That’s a gasser! Who do they need to organize against? Taxpayers?
I don’t see Mary O’Brian’s name here…. what does she make CJ?
Nevermind! <~~~~ Emily Litella voice!!
Found the Mary O’Brian salary… but where is Aurthur Perkins?
Don’t stop with dumping administrators; get rid of all the cafeterias, too. Also get rid of buses. Let the parents arrange transportation of the 1st-4th graders. Give the 5th-12th graders a City Link pass.
Thanks for a great report!
School board candidates should be asked about this situation in candidate forums, and the board should be quizzed during public comments at every meeting.
This is also a good argument for raising taxes on those who make above $250,000 a year — to get some of that money back for taxpayers.
As for the pay of principals… I think most of those people have doctorate degrees, or at least masters. Principals deal with students, teachers, parents, administration and God only knows what else. The are at sporting events, school plays, etc. You couldn’t pay me enough to be a school principal. They work day and night and deserve every penny. Admins do not put in as many hours as Principals.
What about Sharon Reed? She was back as a consultant this year. It looks like you got info for just this year. There have been others in and out in previous years. Arthur Perkins was a consultant last year, I am not sure about this year. Was JoAnn Thomas back as a consultant? I’d like to know the total the district has paid Thom Simpson as a “consultant”. He’s been consulting for like four our five years.
Regardless, these positions are not necessary. Quite frankly, hiring these consultants is outrageous. Put people where they are needed the most, with the kids.
Maybe these consultants would be willing to work as indivudual assistants for students with behavioral disabilities. Hmmm, I wonder how long they’d last.
I agree MAWB. Principals are still very close to the students. In my head I don’t even think of them as Administrators. The cuts that need to be made before any and all else (including school closures) are those that spend their days at 3622 N. Wisconsin Avenue.
Is the Director for District 150 Foundation not an administration job?
I don’t see Laura Sahn on the list… Is she paid out of the Foundation?
Linda Sahn…. sorry…
Mayoral Control from todays WSJ:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123682041297603203.html
diane,
I agree in principle and you have the right side of the street but the address is 3202 not 3622! I just wanted to clear that up so when the routy taxpayer group arrives with burning torches and pitchforks that they go to the right building!
Heh heh. I was in a hurry so didn’t google it… it sounded right though!
As for the pay of principals…
How about asst principals making over $100,000? (That by the way, puts them in the top 5% of income earners in this country.)
I really want to know what you all think is “enough” money?
Are you serious that you wouldn’t take a Principal’s job for $124,000 for 9 or ten months?
How did it happen that we built schools for kids and teachers, and they became the money making places of business for administrators? Shouldn’t someone take a CUT in pay when they leave the principle function and purpose of the schools?
Serenity: I think I made the mistake once of believing that I saw Sharon Reed on a list of consultants, but someone corrected me. I honestly don’t think she was ever a consultant. I’m not sure about Authur Perkins.
I am inclined to agree that principals probably (in most cases) earn their money, especially at the high school level. Some of the principal salaries are higher than others based on years served, etc.
I realize that the budget committee and new controller, etc., have to deal only with present spending, etc. However, since it has taken several years to get the District into its present financial shape, it would be interesting to see how many consultants (and total amt of money) have been hired over the last ten years.
I also find myself wondering when this “consultant phenomenon” started. I don’t recall so many retired administrators being hired back in earlier times–but then my memory might be failing me again.
Also, we are just dealing with people now. However, there are undoubtedly other expenditures that might surprise us if we saw the list. I know that paper for use by teachers is always high on the list of items to be cut. However, I wonder how much paper is wasted at the administrative level.
Apparently, there is now an effort to save paper on Wisconsin because I have been asked to come in to review the material for my FOIA request to decide what I want before copies are made.
Kcdad: I do have to agree about principals’ salaries that exceed $100,000. Principals and assistants at high schools do have to attend afterschool activities–although at Manual the principal, assistant, and deans took turns so that they all didn’t have to attend all functions. Primary and middle school schools do not have that many evening functions, do they?
Frankly, (probably an unfair observation but) I don’t think very many master teachers have become administrators. Success in the classroom doesn’t seem to be a requirement. Therefore, I am always amazed by how many administrators become experts at telling teachers how to teach (any subject matter).
“Those who can’t do, teach, those that can’t teach, administrate.”
$500 a day for a consultant… geesh.
I think it was Linda Evangelista who said “I don’t get out of bed for less than $10,000!”
Remember, they bought back Perkins and Timmes. Perkins is also noted in the board meeting minutes as being a summer school principal this summer. You can look at the minutes and it will show most of the time who was hired back.
So, if I am understanding this correctly, these are only the figures from Sept 2008 until now…. How far back did you FOIA the consultants CJ?
Wow. And buying up houses and closing schools is their action?
Is there a difference between consultants and retirees hired for other jobs? For instance, if Perkins was hired for summer school principal, that is not a consultant’s job. I would think the same would be true for Timmes. She might have been hired for a position of some sort–but not as a consultant. Hopefully, these jobs weren’t paid at $500 a day, etc.
Where’s Stowell when you need ’em?
Jim seems to have left us. I think he’s been occupied with his daughter’s basketball games. Maybe he’ll be back.
Great post! Some of the smoke is beginning to lift. It’s too bad we can’t get back the inordinate amount of money that has been spent over the past few years on these positions. One has to wonder if D150 has reclassified some positions. Also, what have the numbers been in past years BEFORE the public started putting the district’s feet to the fire on admins and consultants? And the point about grant money running out is interesting. Don’t know if it’s a fact, but interesting question.
I would ask those with more expertise than I to examine whether some of these listed positions are redundant/overlapping. And there seem to be people who are not in the classroom (or a school in some cases) whose positions are not listed. Hopefully someone will be able to examine that part of the financial question.
BTW, questioning a position is not equivalant to questioning the ability of the person in that position, just it’s necessity. If my household budget is in meltdown, the fact that I have to fire my cleaning woman (if I had one!) gardener (ditto!) or personal trainer (hah!) has nothing to do with their competence. And you cut there before you cut necessities, which in the case of education I consider the classroom/school positions. Sounding like a broken record, but…you cut FARTHEST away from the classroom FIRST!
A couple of points:
Another thing to consider is that administrators have administrative staff. These positions would/should be added to the total mix; since if an administrator is cut, their staff would also be cut. So there are actually additional salaries, benefits, etc, to consider.
Along the same line, there are other expenses related with admin. positions that are not considered salary, such as defined benefit contributions, pension contributions, insurance benefits, and others. Are those included in the salary numbers given or is that number JUST the salary? It would make a difference in the total cost per administrative position.
So the numbers CJ has gotten are just the starting point. The actual cost savings could be significantly higher.
I know it would be a drastic (and most likely unthinkable) move, but just a thought-provoking question. If most of the “extra” administrators, directors (those not actually in touch with students every day all day) were eliminated, what would be the effect on the education that District 150 students are receiving? I am probably having a memory lapse, but I’m trying to think of something that I did in the classroom every day that I couldn’t have done if there were no “planners” on Wisconsin Avenue. Actually, I guess we’d know if we could find out when each of these positions were added.
Again, I’m asking for the impossible and impractical, but I’d just like to see a list of projects, tasks, whatever that are carried out by each of these people daily, weekly, monthly, yearly.
Teachers have to account for their time in one way or another. They turn in lesson plans weekly so that administrators can evaluate them. Principals periodically have to visit each teacher’s classroom for purposes of evaluation. They are free to stop in anytime they please. Parents that stay in touch with their children and their teachers have a fairly good notion of what goes on in classrooms and are free to make complaints, etc. Within a building, I found that counselors, deans, administrators also felt free to question students about what was happening in classrooms. If a student went to the office to complain about a grade, a referral, etc., there was always some administrator at our doors to ask questions, etc.
Teachers have to turn in their final exams for approval before they are given to students. Principals look at teachers’ grades to see if there are too many Fs, etc.
Who keeps such watch over all these administrators?
Three superintendents is an obvious cut. If Ken Hinton can’t handle the responsibility on his own, then they should find someone who can. There’s no need for three Supers.
The principals deserve every penny of that money. Many of them have been in District 150 for a number of years and the way to keep good people is to pay them. Sure, you could get a princpal for half the money, but after a year or two, that person is bailing for a better job and better pay somewhere else. That’s not good for the stability of the district. The cuts shouldn’t come from the buildings
Question: How many assistant superintendents did Harry Whitaker have? Memory lapse again–what positions did Burdett and (wasn’t there another one) hold? Is it possible they were in charge of duties now picked up by new positions that have since been added, etc.?
“the way to keep good people is to pay them”
Why does this only apply to administrators, executives and other highly paid “support staff”?
Why is it when it comes to hands on employees, you demand commitment and excellence?
I say if those who want administrative positions don’t like their jobs for any reason other than the money they should make tracks, vamoose, absquatulate and skeedaddle.
I am real tired of this hackneyed worn out excuse that money is what brings quality.
Kcdad: We agree! I don’t believe that I have never heard an administrator say that we should pay good teachers so that they will stay in District 150–or that teachers should be supported (to improve discipline, etc.) so that they will stay in the district. For every administrator, I would bet that there are 3 or more teachers sitting in the wings with administrator certificates in hand–that are just as qualified as the present administrators who–my guess would be–were anxious to get out of the classroom. I’m not certain that pay is the only incentive for advancing to administrator.
Now don’t forget they have had to bring in two more consultants (from small town districts) to help Hinton. All money gone to pay these consultants could have been spent towards personnel with direct contact with students. Also, just exactly what does Hanna do?
Regardless Hinton needs to be held accountable. I’m not seeing that.
I too would like to know what Hannah does. I know for a time he was the (brain) for Broderick. Broderick was not qualified to be the director of personnel. Hannah was telling Broderick what to do as far and hiring and firing.
Excuse me… can we address the elephant in the room please?
“I really want to know what you all think is “enough” money?”
How much should we pay these bureaucrats? How much SHOULD a teacher get?
How much should a janitor or security guard, counselor, coach, secretary get?
Is $200,000 for a superintendent “enough” money? Is $75,000 for a history teacher “enough” money? One is in the top 1% of ALL income earners and the other in the top 10%.
“The list of administration staff includes 123 employees at a total payroll of $9,312,462.41. This includes 35 principals, 13 assistant principals, and 7 deans.”
I just realized an implication of this statement.
55 of our administrators are actually in the EDUCATING business… and 68 are in the BUSINESS of education. There are more bureaucrats supervising the business than there are supervising the education.
How typical. How tragic. How utterly American. After all, the business of education is business… right?
Great blog, C.J.,
Tragic is right and turning into a greater tragedy in the coming years.
Herschel Hannah on the school board? Heaven help the system.
I remember when I was asssitant tennis coach at Woodruff. Hannah came to our first practice all fulll of vim and vigor saying how he supported tennis. The boys were peeing in the woods. We asked him for a Porta Potty. Never got it that season so I finally convinced the PPD to bring one down which they do every fall, spring and summer.
Never saw him again as long as he was the principal at Woodruff.
He was or is President of the Boys and Girls Club whose major aim appears to be raising money. The Grinnell location has been closed for 22 months but as late as last summer, the club was still advertisng the facility (with a gym) as still open.
Merle: Hannah is an associate superintendent, not a school board member
Geesh, I thought maybe Hannah was retiring and running for the school board…
But, that can’t be.. there must be a consulting job out there for him somewhere…
Yes, there probably is a job for which Hannah is running–superintendent.
Board agenda for Monday night: I found #15 especially interesting–since “Wacky Wednesdays” are already on the calendar for next year. Also, I filed an FOIA on Jan. 26–now ready to be picked up–about what the teachers at the 12 schools did on Wacky Wednesdays.
15. CONTRACT FOR DR. MICHAEL RISEN, BRADLEY UNIVERSITY – Grzanich
Proposed Action: That the Board of Education approves a contract with Dr. Michael Risen from Bradley University to do an external analysis of Primary Early Release Days. His contract is not to exceed $1,150 and will be paid through the
Ed Fund.
Sharon – All I can say to agenda item #15 is unbelievable!!!
Perry Knapp came to my house last night. We had an interesting discussion about where he sees the fiscal condition of the district, and where I see it. I have to be honest and state I personally was a little embarrassed to be asking for the $8,500 to establish a baseline fiscal model, but still feel it’s critical in the interest of getting everyone in the community on the same page regarding where the district is at financially.
After talking with Perry, it’s clear the history isn’t as known as it should be, and some are working with different understandings of fiscal condition. I think the district is $20 million in the hole (16 million in payday loans a year, 4 million lost in PPRT), and Perry thinks the district is $20 million in the good. I told him the goal of everyone should be to get on the same page and that the committee has no interest in being placed between labor and management; so we try to explain and explore and understand, right?
Consider a hypothetical. I mentioned that the purpose of accounting is to measure specific points in time, for instance, the end of the day on Thursday. The problem is Friday changes things.
If you have $1,000 on Thursday, governmental accounting rules will present you as $1,000 in the good. However, on Friday, your mortgage of $2,000 is due. There are some who look only at Thursday, and some who only look at Friday – when we really need to look at the net result of both. In isolation, that’s a $3,000 difference in opinion ($1,000 to the good to $2,000 in the hole). In actuality this scenario presents an entity $1,000 in the hole because they only have $1,000 on hand versus $2,000 in amounts due.
Don’t know if I have a point, but thought it was interesting.
Erik: Was it Terry Knapp–probably?
pardon me, i apologize. yes, terry knapp. mea culpa.
Mr. Bush,
Considering my lifelong association with District 150, please try to understand my cynacism. Like many others, I appreciate your willingness to present information to the public. So, in the interest of true transparency and to alleviate any fears that it could be affectation or bravado, please answer this question with a simple “Yes” or No.” Are you presently or could you in the future be considered for a job (Guy Cahill’s, for example) in District 150?