Pay raises for more than a dozen top administrators in the
Bradford Area School District “probably” are in the district
2006-2007 budget, but officials won’t release the amounts until
evaluations have been completed.

It was not clear Thursday when that might be.

The Era, which annually publishes the salaries of top
administrators, has been requesting the amounts since May when the
school board approved a memorandum of understanding as part of Act
93 – an administrative compensation plan for 2005-06 and for
2006-07.

This memorandum of understanding would put the administrators in
line for a 2 percent bonus – what they call “incentive pay” – for
the first time in three years. This amount would not be a part of
the administrator’s annual pay, but would be in addition to their
actual salaries.

At that time officials said salary figures could not be released
because evaluations were not complete and the board had not yet
voted on the final budget. The possible raises in annual salary for
administrators would amount to 4 percent.

The final budget was accepted by the school board in June, and
the current fiscal year started July 1.

It had been previously reported that evaluations were to have
been completed by July 1, but human resources director Samuel
Johnson said Thursday that he was uncertain when they would be
completed.

Those evaluations are conducted by the Superintendent Sandra
Romanowski and those in appropriate positions to conduct them, said
former human resources director Lee Ann Doynow last month.

When asked, Johnson also said that the recently passed budget
“probably” includes projected salary amounts for everybody.

Meanwhile, pay amounts for those recently hired – who will not
get a pay raise or incentive pay under Act 93 – are available at
this time:

Marianne Carrico, as assistant elementary school principal, will
receive $60,500 in salary for the 2006-07 year; Gail Herrmann, as
assistant high school principal, will receive $60,500 as well.

Senior network technician Pat Gainer will receive $39,000 for
the 2006-07 school year; Johnson will receive $77,000 as human
resource director; technology director John Petruzzi will receive
$60,500; and Sarah Tingley, principal at School Street Elementary,
elementary curriculum, elementary school/federal programs will
receive $79,500.

Johnson explained those listed above will not be eligible to
receive the 4 percent increase for the 2006-07 school year, nor
will they be able to receive up to an additional 2 percent increase
under the Act 93 incentive pay memorandum.

The 2006-07 budget reflects a savings of $173,648 as two
administrative positions have been eliminated.

When Garry Pugrant, director of pupil personnel resigned, his
position was not filled, but his duties were passed to Katherine
Pude, curriculum coordinator.

Sarah Tingley, director of federal programs, is now also
principal at School Street Elementary, taking over for retired
Sheldon Pugrant, which absorbs another administrative position.

The topic of the administrator’s salaries, as well as the number
of administrators, have long been a sore subject among taxpayers in
the Bradford Area School District.

Resident Dorothy Frontino has most recently shown disappointment
at the salary amounts of administrators and the fact that the Act
93 incentive pay has returned.

When the school board agreed in February to hire Johnson at a
pay of $77,000 to replace a retiring Lee Ann Doynow who was
collecting $74,451 a year, Frontino asked, “You are starting a new
one at what Doynow finishes at. I can’t believe this. Don’t you
start people at less than what they were making?”

Romanowski explained to Frontino that part of Johnson’s salary
would be paid by grants – at least $19,250 worth – and that because
of certificates Johnson holds, he is able to take on extra duties
in that position. Frontino also expressed her concern over giving
administrative personnel any type of “incentive pay” above and
beyond their current pay in a special meeting held in June.

“I am not happy with that at all. With what they are already
making, why have a 2 percent raise?” she asked the board.

It was explained to her that the incentive pay would be given
only to those who were considered to have a “distinguished”
rating.

At this time, the district is also in a fact-finding phase with
its school teachers and the Bradford Area Education Association,
which means that a third party will come in and help with
negotiations for teacher contracts.

Negotiations between the teachers and the district began in
January of 2005 with their contract having expired in June of the
same year.