How difficult is it to unearth a simple piece of information
that, on the face of it, is a matter of public record?

With that question in mind, Era reporters set out this week to
discover how much each of the school superintendents in the region
draws in annual salary, an amount paid entirely by taxpayers.

It’s Sunshine Week, an annual period devoted to openness in
government, and it’s provided an interesting journey into the
process of discovering so-called “public” information.

Since The Era had previously printed the salary of Bradford
School Superintendent Sandra Romanowski – most recently published
at $107,000 for the 2006-07 school year – as part of our ongoing
news coverage, we directed out attention to the other districts in
the region.

Here’s what we learned:

* At the Otto-Eldred School District, a receptionist directed
our call to business manager Brenda Long, who at first didn’t know
if she could give that information over the phone. After a moment
on hold, she gave the salary of Superintendent Robert Falk,
$102,216 for the 2006-07 school year as well as a little bit of
background on Falk.

* Things were a little more difficult at the Smethport Area
School District. A receptionist directed the call to business
manager Sue Jordan. Jordan asked that a request be faxed to her so
she had it in writing. After the request was faxed, Jordan gave the
salary of Superintendent George Romanowski, $100,951 for the fiscal
2006-07 school year.

“It was my understanding that you could only publish the
position, not the name,” Jordan said afterward, to which she was
informed the name would be published with the position and salary.
“Well, I would just check your legal bounds before you publish
it.”

* A receptionist at the Port Allegany School District
transferred the call to Cindy Lasher in the superintendent’s
office, but for two days, she did not answer. Voicemail messages
left for her were not returned. No one was able to provide Lasher’s
exact title.

* Kane Area School District directed The Era to Steve Perry,
business manager, who asked, “I suppose that’s public information,
isn’t it?” He then gave the reporter Superintendent Sandra
Chlopecki’s wages, $95,000.

Potter County schools seemed a bit more willing to offer the
information.

* In contacting Coudersport Area School District, the
superintendent himself, George Nuffer, answered the phone. Amused
by The Era’s inquiry, he laughed about it, saying, “So you want to
know my salary, huh?” His salary was $94,000.

“That’s what I get for walking by the phone,” he said wryly.

* When contacted, Oswayo Valley School District’s business
offices were closed due to area flooding; the secretary said to ask
for Bob Whiteman, business manager, Friday. No one was available to
answer the phones, as the school was closed, when a reporter tried
calling Friday.

* Northern Potter School District sent The Era to Vickie Hudson,
secretary. With no trouble, she gave out the salary of
Superintendent Robert C. Smith, $99,938.

* Austin Area School sent the reporter to a secretary, who asked
what The Era’s story was going to be about. The reporter was asked
to repeat his name and affiliation so the secretary could write it
down. She then divulged Superintendent Matthew Hutchenson’s salary,
$82,500.

* Galeton Area School put the calling Era reporter on hold
briefly, then transferred him to the business manager.
Superintendent Michael G. Schwarz’s salary was given – $97,000.

Elk County schools, on the other hand, were slightly more
difficult to work with.

* A receptionist at the Johnsonburg Area School District said
everyone was gone when called and that reporters should try back
from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. No one was available at The Era to call
officials at the school district during that time.

* Ridgway Area School District told The Era, “You will have to
talk to Brent Rhodes; he’s the acting superintendent.” However,
according to the secretary, Rhodes is out of the office until
Monday. When asked if there was anyone else who could provide The
Era with the acting superintendent’s salary, the secretary simply
said, “No.”

* Upon calling St. Marys Area School District, the secretary
informed The Era that Cindy Green, business manager, was out
Thursday. She then looked for someone else who could provide the
reporter with information, eventually transferring him to Evelyn
Picklo from the payroll department.

“I know it’s public knowledge,” she said, “but I’d prefer to ask
the business manager permission first before I give you that
information.” Picklo then explained that the business manager was
not in that day, but The Era could call back Friday and ask for
Picklo or Green. Calls placed Friday were not answered.

* At the superintendent’s office at the Cameron County School
District, acting Superintendent Clyde Moat said he is being paid a
stipend and doesn’t know what the actual superintendent’s salary
is. He said The Era would have to call business manager Carl
Mitchell, who was out of town and would not be back until Friday or
Monday.

“I know (the salary is) public information, but I honestly don’t
know what (the figure) is,” Moat said.

* Since the salaries of area school superintendents were being
collected, The Era also thought it would be relevant to publish the
salary of the executive director of the Seneca Highlands
Intermediate Unit 9. When calling the IU9 in Smethport, a
receptionist put Dan M. Wetzel, the executive director of the IU9,
himself, on the line.

Wetzel questioned the scope of the article and how the
superintendents’ salaries were being collected. He was willing to
offer the salaries of those superintendents in the IU9 region, but
since those numbers were already being gathering from each
individual school, he only gave his salary for the current 2006-07
school year, $109,174. Wetzel was also willing to offer more
information about the IU9, its background and other information
about the schools.