The Bradford Area School District has asked The Bradford Era to
print a clarification regarding the story printed Aug. 28 showing
school administrators’ salaries for the current school year.

The district has maintained that the figures that were printed
present a misleading picture of what the administrators were given
in raises for the 2006-07 school year.

The Era’s story compared respective salaries for each
administrator in the years 2005-06 and 2006-07 – all figures which
had been provided by the school district itself. In the case of the
2005-06 salaries, the Aug. 28 story had simply reprinted amounts
which were first reported in the June 1, 2005, edition.

The school district, however, believes that method of comparison
was faulty since it did not take into account raises that were
given mid-year when some of the administrators either changed
positions or added new duties.

The Aug. 28 story had stated that there were administrators who
are being paid $12,000 to $20,000 more than they were paid last
year. While that statement is true, the district feels it leads to
the belief that administrators were given $12,000 to $20,000 more
this year than last without justification.

While The Era does not believe its reporting was inaccurate,
editors have agreed to allow the school district to explain its
interpretation of the administrators’ salaries:

Last year, Katharine Pude, as curriculum coordinator, was making
a salary of $68,542 – which was reported in the recent article.
This year, she is making $88,400 as assistant superintendent, a
position she received in July 2005. She is also considered the
director of pupil personnel, absorbing Gary Pugrant’s position as
he retired.

With Pugrant’s retirement, district officials note, there is a
savings of his $86,500 salary.

Sarah Tingley, as director of federal programs in 2005, was
making a salary of $62,985. In June of 2005, her salary became
$72,100 as she assumed the duties of elementary principal for
curriculum. Then in June of this year she was moved to School
Street Elementary as principal for a salary of $79,500. She
continues to conduct work in all positions.

Sheldon Pugrant resigned as principal at School Street in June
allowing her to move into that position. He had been taking home a
salary of $84,583 and the district noted there is a savings in the
difference between the salaries, as one has been eliminated.

Gene Woodmansee, as maintenance supervisor in 2005, received a
salary of $29,502. Assuming the extra duty of director of custodial
services in November 2005 and becoming director of the maintenance
department as well, his salary increased to $45,000. His increase
for the 2006-07 school year is $1,800.

Woodmansee assumed the custodial services duties after Gale
Kellogg, who as director of maintenance and buildings making
$61,980, was laid off. At the same time, John Matthews, director of
transportation, making a salary of $58,881, was laid off as
well.

The district has said that the change in those positions has
saved the district money. However, the district is now contracting
with Laidlaw Inc. for administration, management, dispatcher,
safety training and other related services at a cost of $97,000.
The contract started in December 2005 and as reported in December,
the $97,000 amount was for the remainder of the 2005-06 school
year.

Brock Benson was hired in August 2005 as assistant principal at
Floyd C. Fretz Middle School making a salary of $60,500 per year,
replacing Tina Slaven who had been making $68,542.

Slaven then became the principal of Floyd C. Fretz Middle School
after Terry Hoover retired in May of 2005. Due to the timing of his
retirement, his salary was not printed in the 2005 story of
administrator salaries so that amount is unknown.

The district, in its “clarification,” show that the salary for
Fretz principal was at $77,000 in 2005.

Slaven, having become principal of Fretz, is now making a salary
of $80,080.

In 2005, John Petruzzi was making a salary of $48,473 as network
administrator and senior technician. As director of technology,
which occurred in March for 2005-06, he receives $60,500.

In the figures provided by the district, there is one title and
figure provided that was not given to The Era for the story in
August: network technician at a salary of $39,000. An article in
March on the school board states that Pat Gainer was hired for that
position to replace Petruzzi’s former position.

The school district also wanted it known that the incentive pay
under Act 93 was not added to the total of the figures provided by
the district and printed in the Era. It is a complete and separate
bonus amount that district officials have cited as
“personnel”-related information.

Officials at this time, are looking into the possibility of
releasing those amounts to The Era with their solicitor, Christian
Mattie III.