Oklahoma Watchdog’s Peter J. Rudy analyzes surging superintendent salaries


Utilizing an annual report showing total compensation for superintendents of public school districts across the state of Oklahoma, Peter J. Rudy of Oklahoma Watchdog concludes that more than two-thirds of those school system administrators “are taking home more money this year than last year.”

In a story posted on his website this morning, Rudy notes the increased compensation came despite the fact that appropriations were cut 4 percent (nearly $100 million) at the state Department of Education.

Rudy used official state data, and converted it into a spreadsheet (with linear data now totaling four years). 

Key findings include Oklahoma Watchdog’s breakdown of the (mostly) up and (here-and-there) down of the salary data. In a summary, Rudy noted that each of the state’s 522 districts has a superintendent, and that of those:
 
*     356 got at least a dollar more this year than last year.

*     289 got at least $100 more this year than last year.

*     208 got at least $1,000 more this year than last year.

*     93 got at least $5,000 more this year than last year.

*     49 got at least $10,000 more this year than last year.

*     20 got at least $15,000 more this year than last year.

*     9 got at least $20,000 more this year than last year.

*     26 are making the exact amount they made last year

*     140 got at least $1 less this year than last year.

*     132 got at least $100 less this year than last year.

*     107 got at least $1,000 less this year than last year.

*     70 got at least $5,000 less this year than last year.

*     39 got at least $10,000 less this year than last year.

*     30 got at least $15,000 less this year than last year.

*     21 got at least $20,000 less this year than last year.

Rudy also reports: 

“While National Board Certified Teachers did not get their $5,000 stipend this year due to a lack of funds, 93 of the 522 superintendents in the state got compensation increases of at least $5,000.

“The average superintendent compensation is $98,434 and the median is $96,000.

“216 superintendents received at least $100,000 which is up from 207 superintendents last year.

“57 district superintendents make more than State Superintendent Janet Barresi whose salary is set by statute at roughly $124,400. That’s up from 54 last year.

“22 superintendents make more than Governor Fallin’s salary of $147,000 which is set by statute. That’s the same number as last year.

“3 superintendents make more than $200,000 (Jenks, Union, Ponca City) which is one less than last year (Tulsa dropped to $181,000).”