Mat-Ab administrators' pay raises controversial
BOE members cite pressure to match other districts
BY ERIN O. STATTEL Staff Writer

ABERDEEN — Three administrators in the regional school district received salary increases despite reservations voiced by Board of Education members before the increases were approved last week.

Salary increases for Matawan-Aberdeen Regional School District Business Administrator Susan Irons, Deputy Superintendent Joel Glastein and Superintendent Richard O'Malley were approved at the June 26 Board of Education meeting.

According to the meeting's agenda, Irons will receive a salary increase of 7 percent, giving her a salary of $130,000 for 2009-10; Glastein will receive a 3 percent raise, making his salary $156,489; and O'Malley's salary will rise 9 percent to $185,000.

Resident Bill Marinella pointed out that peer pressure from neighboring districts should not be a reason to hand out salary increases during an economic recession.

"We need a standard to measure success, and there hasn't been enough time in one year to see the superintendent's success," he told the board during the hearing on the salary increases. "This peer group is compared to other districts, and the trend is ever higher pay, whether it is warranted or not."

Marinella said he felt that O'Malley is a "fine superintendent" but that a 9 percent increase is not warranted.

"Dr. O'Malley is a fine superintendent, and a zero increase on the school budget is a nice start, but I don't believe in rewarding people for not raising an already inflated budget," Marinella said. "Let's wait a few years and see what happens and give him a new contract if needed."

Board member Gerald Donaghue said that while Marinella's referencing peer districts and their salaries was accurate, MARSD compensation is still lower than their neighbors'.

"These numbers are crazy when you first hear them, but this is how the education system works in New Jersey," he told the residents in attendance. "Our business administrator and superintendent are very good at what they do, and when you are good, you are also marketable. We lost a business administrator before because we wanted to save a few bucks and he walked away. We are still paying lower than our peers."

Board member Jan Rubino said she could not support the motion because she did not agree with the increases.

"I have a lot of respect for our administrators, but these raises are so far out of reach, I can't believe I am alone in this," she said. "I don't care how surrounding districts are spending money. People I know haven't gotten raises, they have lost their jobs, and I think that the business administrator and superintendent should feel the effects of this."

Board member Thomas Gambino said Rubino was not alone, and informed the board and residents in attendance that as a state employee, he was informed that if cutbacks were approved, he would face a 7 percent pay cut and 10 days' furlough, or mandatory time off without pay.

"The way I vote tonight does not have to do with the administrator's performance," he said. "I don't agree with the increases, but I am concerned about Ms. Irons' contract because she was brought in way below other business administrator salaries."

Board member Larry O'Connell called himself the "tightest wad on the board."

"I wear that moniker proudly," he laughed, "but I am also a business person and I believe in pay for performance. These leaders have set us on a new course, and look at how the level of our dialogue has changed: we are talking about educational data, not just turf fields anymore. I don't want any more changes in the captain's suite."

Rubino made a motion to separate the contracts for individual approval, and Gambino seconded the motion.

Irons' salary was approved by a 6-1 vote with Rubino the sole dissenting vote and Jeff Delaney abstaining. Glastein's salary was approved by an 8-1 vote with Gambino the sole no vote. O'Malley's salary increases were approved by a 6-2 vote with Rubino and Gambino the no votes and Delaney's abstention.

After the meeting, several residents voiced their opinions on the administrators taking the proposed salary increases.

"I think 9 percent, in this economy with everybody hurting, is out of line," said Patti Monagle, of Aberdeen. "I have no problem with them accepting a lower percentage, but 9 is just too high."

Melissa Linden, also of Aberdeen, said she, too, felt the increases were too much.

"I think it's selfish," she said. "There is no doubt that they deserve the increases, but sometimes when you care about your community, you have to make some sacrifices for yourself."