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Board approves central-office salary increases amid debate over growth rate as district heads into budget vote
Summary
The Cornwall Central School District Board approved item 7 on May 19, which addresses central-office salary adjustments, after a contested discussion about the rate of growth in administrative pay; one board member opposed the measure and another abstained. The vote came as the district prepared for a budget referendum scheduled for the next day.
The Cornwall Central School District Board of Education on May 19 approved an item addressing central-office salary increases after a detailed discussion about the rate of growth in administrative pay.
Board member Christian argued the district’s central-office pay increases have outpaced regional peers over the last four budget cycles. Christian attributed figures to publicly available New York State Education Department data, saying, “If you index that over the last 4 years ... the median district increased by about 10.6% ... the average district increased by about 11.1% and in Cornwall it increased by 16.9%.” He added that Cornwall’s increase was “about 49% higher” than peer districts and said the board had not sufficiently scrutinized those increases; he said he would vote no.
Other board members defended the district’s administrators. One board member said the district’s central office operates with fewer administrators per student than many peers and described administrators as taking on extra responsibilities. Another board member praised administrators for settling a teachers’ contract and said, “I wish that we could give them more than what is being approved tonight,” but supported the motion.
Board President read guidance from the New York State School Boards Association handbook about public disagreement with board decisions, saying the handbook advises that board members should express disagreement during discussion and avoid undermining the board after a vote.
The item passed with the following tallies as announced in the meeting: seven ayes, one opposed (Christian), and one abstention (Bass). The president declared the motion carried.
The debate occurred on the eve of the district budget referendum; public comment earlier in the meeting included John Hines, president of the Cornwall Central Teachers Association, urging community members to vote in favor of the budget at Cornwall Central Middle School the next day and warning of potential staff reductions if the budget failed.
Board members closed the meeting by reminding residents to vote in the referendum and then moved into executive session.
