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A House Education Committee bill is cocked increase the pay of State Superintendent of Schools
$53,900 from $146,100 to $200,000.
About ten of the department's education officials makes more money than the governor.
The proposed pay increase would be immediate for Dr. David Stewart, who has changed his mind about
resigning from the position.
House
Education Chairman Jerry Mezzatesta (D-Hampshire) spoke in favor of the measure.
Del. Mary Poling (D-Barbour) told House Education members the bill
"was not written for one person," indicating it was introduced Jan. 15âseveral days before State
Superintendent
of Schools David Stewart's announcement that he intended to resignâan action he apparently publicly
rescinded
in an appearance before the House of Delegates two days later.
The measure also would provide W. Va. Board of Education members compensation of $500 per
month, rather
than payment for the current per diem allowance of $100.
Mezzatesta said this proposal was "cheaper than the billing before and could be
revenue neutral" a reference to a series of Charleston Gazette articles relating to WVBE members
using the
previous per diem charges for reading board materials and attending funerals.
WV School Building Authority Executive Director Howard M. O'Cull, Ed.D said the superintendent's salary
isn't competitive. O'Cull says seven county superintendents have contracts of $90,000 or more.
The chancellor of the Higher Education Policy Commission makes $252,000 per year, and the
chancellor for the
newly proposed independent community colleges would make $200,000.
WVSBA President William J. Raglin says Stewart's resignation and the "outpouring of support for his
return,
confirms the confidence and trust that Dr. Stewart commands, not only within the Legislature, but also
throughout the educational community. In this difficult time of budget constraints and the rigorous
demands
of NCLB we are fortunate to continue having the leadership of (Dr. David) Stewart."
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