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Board approves retention payment and raises for Montclair State president
Summary
Montclair State’s Board approved a $200,000 retention payment tied to President Jonathan Koppell’s contract in November and set his FY2026 salary at $575,000 with a 25% merit bonus in July, citing his leadership and enrollment gains.
The Montclair State University Board of Trustees voted in separate meetings this academic year to approve significant retention and compensation measures for President Jonathan Koppell. In a Nov. 8, 2024 action, trustees approved a retention payment of $200,000 to be paid at the end of Koppell’s contract provided he remains president on that date. In a July 15, 2025 vote, the board set Koppell’s FY2026 base salary at $575,000 and approved a 25% merit bonus based on his FY2025 salary.
Board Chair Kent Sluyter framed the compensation actions as recognition of “exemplary leadership and contributions to the University,” and trustees discussed Koppell’s role in advancing enrollment and institutional initiatives. President Koppell had earlier noted a record enrollment of more than 24,000 students at the start of the 2024 fall term and highlighted fundraising and program developments that he and the administration have overseen.
The board recorded these items as formal motions that were seconded and approved in public session. The minutes show the November retention payment was conditioned on Koppell remaining in office through the contract date; the July salary and bonus adjustments were approved without a roll-call vote reported in the minutes.
