CAPITAL REGION — Former Niskayuna Central School District Superintendent Susan Kay Salvaggio was the highest-paid school district employee in the Capital Region during the 2013-14 school year, according to data released by the Empire Center on Thursday.
Salvaggio, who stepped down in April, collected a total of $289,588 last year, not including benefits. Salvaggio’s departure from the district included a $139,000 lump-sum payment to leave her post 15 months early. Her annual salary by contract was $192,000.
Outside of New York City, a total of 48,703 public school employees were paid more than $100,000 last year, according to the Empire Center. That’s a 48 percent increase since 2008-09, when 32,914 employees earned more than $100,000.
Shenendehowa Central School District Superintendent L. Oliver Robinson was the third-highest earner in the greater Capital Region, collecting a total of $213,916 last year.
Laurence Spring, superintendent at the Schenectady City School District, made $191,520 during the 2013-14 school year, making him the eighth-highest earner.
Kathleen Spring, superintendent of Rotterdam-Mohonasen Central Schools, took home $183,899 last year. Ballston Spa Central Schools Superintendent Joseph Dragone and Saratoga Springs City School District Superintendent Michael Piccirillo earned about $170,000.
The data provided by the Empire Center on SeeThroughNY.net include pay information for 367,867 employees reported to the state Teachers Retirement System and the state Local Retirement System. The data do not include costs of health care, pension contributions and other employee benefits.
© 2014 Daily Gazette
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