NORWICH – Tensions rose at Tuesday’s school board meeting after pay raises were approved for the superintendent and deputy superintendent by a 4 to 2 vote.
As of June 30, City of Norwich school district teachers and support staff will be without a renewed contract for one year.
According to data collected from the New York State Education Department’s Web site, Superintendent Gerard O’Sullivan received $142,590 last year and will receive $148,294 next year – a 4 percent increase. Deputy Superintendent Margaret Boice received $115,117.80 last year and will receive $119,492 for next school year – a 3.8 percent increase.
Audience members appeared displeased with the pay raises.
District resident and Oxford Guidance Counselor Virginia Pluta said that in Oxford, the administration does not give raises to themselves until all contracts are settled within the district.
Teacher and Norwich Educator’s Organization (NEO) Vice President Bruce Race also spoke out against the pay raises. Race pointed out the raises the administrators were getting equaled approximately what the NEO had asked for during the contract negotiation process. The teacher said at face value, the compensation looked similar, until he took a closer look at the offer the district brought to the bargaining table for teachers.
“You will discover the offer being made to the NEO only includes the base salary and not the full salary and requires the union members to give back medical benefits. Will the superintendent give back medical benefits as well?”
Race continued: “This is unfathomable. The superintendent has 100 percent medical benefits for himself and 50 percent for his family upon retirement. The deputy superintendent has 100 percent medical benefits for herself and her family. To date, the retired NEO members receive $1,500 toward the district’s medical plan until they qualify for Medicare.
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