Hauppauge Administrators Face Pay Cut Under Cuomo's Proposed Salary Cap

Hauppauge school officials spoke out against Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s proposed superintendent salary tax cap at Tuesday’s board meeting, which, if passed, could cost Superintendent Patricia Sullivan-Kriss nearly $100,000 in salary.

Cuomo has said his proposal to cap superintendent salaries at $179,000 per year, no higher than his own salary, would save the state $15 million as he attempts to close a reported $10 billion shortfall. According to his office, one-third of the state’s superintendents make over $175,000.

“I do not know personally what I would do. I still want to work,” Sullivan-Kriss said Tuesday night, in response to the salary cap.

Sullivan-Kriss will receive $248,077 in salary for the 2010-2011 school year under contract, according to the New York State Education Department’s Administrative Compensation Information. Board Trustee Geri Richter said Sullivan-Kriss received the 42nd highest salary among superintendents in the state when hired, and has since dropped to No. 52.

To compare Hauppauge superintendent’s salary to the governor’s is unfair, Board trustee Eileen Mass said, citing Cuomo’s $179,000 salary does not count his many fringe benefits such as luxury cars, a full-time driver, taxpayer-paid-for homes and more.

By comparison, the superintendent will receive $49,006 worth of fringe benefits in 2010-2011, that accounts for the district’s contribution towards her health insurance, life insurance, pension plans and other similar items, according to New York State Education Department. In addition, Sullivan-Kriss will receive $8,000 in other benefits for 2010-2011 school year.

Since the Hauppauge Union-Free School District has a total enrollment of 4,076 students as of the 2010 New York State Schools Report Card, Cuomo’s proposal would limit Sullivan-Kriss's contract to $165,000 total. If his proposal is made law, it would take effect the next time her contract is amended or extended.

The superintendent suggested the governor’s proposal could create more problems for many Long Island districts.

“I think it’s a big issues out there, what would happen in terms of leadership… You would not be encouraging people to take on the kind of position as superintendent when the reality is as building administrator you would make significantly more,” she said.

At Tuesday’s board meeting, Hauppauge residents openly questioned how administratively top heavy the district is.

According to New York State Department of Education, 26 administrative staff in the district receive a salary of more than $118,000 a year. This includes an assistant superintendent who makes $165,743 and would also be affected by the salary cap.

“I have put out there we have been very diligent in looking at structure and working things differently. Each of us have taken on additional responsibilities,” Sullivan-Kriss said.

Over the past two years, Hauppauge school district has eliminated an assistant superintendent of business and operations, an assistant superintendent for elementary education and a plant facilities and transportation administrator. In addition, the position of assistant superintendent for technology has been left open after the retirement of Kenneth Graham in October 2010.

“This superintendent has brought the budget in at low increases and moved the district forward instead of backwards, and we are very proud of that fact,” said Board Trustee Geri Richter. “We are very interested in keeping her services ... here."