Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, June 29, 1990 TAG: 9006290480
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: PATRICIA LOPEZ BADEN EDUCATION WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
In its annual evaluation of the superintendent, the board voted unanimously for the 5.4 percent increase - from $83,500 to $88,000 - and for an increase in his tax-free annuity from $10,000 to $12,000.
For the 1990-91 fiscal year, which begins July 1, Wilson also will receive a $6,000 car allowance for business or personal use, and will be reimbursed for business mileage. Previously, Wilson had used a county car.
Wilson also will now have the option of cashing out up to 30 days of vacation yearly, which would amount to an additional $7,200. That more than doubles the number of days he was able to cash out last year.
The School Board also will pick up full hospitalization insurance costs for Wilson, instead of just half.
The increases put Wilson very close - for the first time - to what Roanoke Superintendant Frank Tota earns in salary and benefits.
Tota, the highest paid public official in Roanoke, made $90,915 last year and received an annuity of $11,744. He, too, receives $6,000 for a personal car and is allowed to cash out 28 days of vacation.
Last year, Tota also was given an early retirement package that gives him 35 percent of his salary for seven years, in return for consultant duties.
This year, when Tota received his evaluation at last week's city School Board meeting, board members gave him high praise, but no additional money.
If Tota is not voted a raise at some point in the year, less than $3,000 will separate the two superintendents, and Wilson actually will have a slightly higher annuity than Tota.
According to 1989 salary and benefit figures for superintendents across the state, only four superintendents were given annuities of $10,000 or more. Tota ranked highest, with Wilson and superintendents in Fairfax and Prince William all receiving $10,000.
Wilson's car allowance also will rank among the highest in the state. In 1989 only four districts throughout Virginia provided money for a private car - Roanoke, Arlington, Loudoun and Norfolk. Roanoke's was the highest.
While county schools have had their share of money troubles - they ran a $500,000 deficit earlier this year and had their payroll and accounting taken over the by county - county School Board Chairman Frank Thomas said he thought Wilson's new compensation package a fair one.
"He does an outstanding job," Thomas said, "and should be compensated for it."
by CNB