Swampscott school board approves raise for Malone

SWAMPSCOTT – Despite the fiscal constraints the district is under, two administrators received “performance bonuses” and salary increases totaling almost $40,000.Superintendent Matthew Malone sent a memo to School Committee Chairman David Whelan requesting a pay raise and additional personal days effective July 1, 2008.In his memo, Malone requested a 1.5 percent increase in pay to $150,753 effective July 1, 2008. In addition to the salary increase, Malone also requested the district to increase his 403B retirement contribution from $4,000 a year to $5,000. He also asked for two additional personal days off each year, which he said have no cash value. According to the School Committee, the request would cost the district $3,228 a year and represents an overall increase of 2.12 percent in Malone’s salary.According to executive session minutes for the School Committee, on June 9 the School Committee voted to adopt “the language contained in Dr. Malone’s memo to the School Committee, dated April 28, 2008, requesting an addendum to his contract based on his 2007-2008 performance.”The School Committee voted 4 to 1 to adopt the addendum, with only Neil Bernstein voting against the increase.Attempts to reach Malone were unsuccessful Wednesday but Bernstein, who is chairman of the School Committee Finance Sub-Committee, said he had reservations about giving Malone a salary increase.”I have not yet seen execution on improving communication with the public and the faculty. That was a significant factor,” he said. “I was very disturbed when I saw the results of the SPED audit and that gave me pause because it meant prior to my time on the School Committee, financial management had been quite inadequate. But never at any time have I felt the Superintendent should be dismissed.”Former School Committee member Richard Feinberg criticized the School Committee for giving Malone a raise.”I think the School Committee’s 4 to 1 vote to give the superintendent a raise at this time was wrong,” he said.Feinberg pointed out the recent Swampscott Education Association vote of no confidence in Malone and the pending lawsuit filed by former Assistant Superintendent Michael Tarlow.”That lawsuit could cost us upwards of six figures,” he said. “And in Boston Magazine’s list of 50 best public schools in the state we didn’t even make it into the Top 50. During these very difficult times when teachers are being laid off, it is inappropriate to give a raise to any administrator.”In the same executive session, the School Committee also approved a “performance bonus” in the amount of $15,000 for Business Manager Ed Cronin, who was earning $85,000, for the 2007/2008 academic year. The vote was unanimous in favor of the bonus, with School Committee members Maureen Thomsen and Glenn Paster abstainingOn June 12, the School Committee also entered into a new contract with Cronin that runs from July 1, 2008 through June 20, 2010. According to the terms of the contract, Cronin would receive $105,000 the first year and $109,000 the second year. The School Committee voted unanimously to sign the new contract with Cronin.School Committee Chairman David Whelan said he is pleased with Cronin’s performance.”Ed’s a bright guy,” he said. “We’re very happy with his work. When he asked for a two-year contract we looked at where other districts were in terms of average salary for his job. The average rate is $120,000 a year so we’re on the low end of the pay scale.”Bernstein said Cronin earned the bonus and pay increase.”He’s one of the most competent people I have had the opportunity to work with,” he said. “That’s the kind of money you have to pay for someone with that level of competency and dedication.”Bernstein said he doesn’t know where the money for the increases is going to come from, but he was quick to point out budgets are always in flux.”It may not have been in the budget originally,” he said. “But in any budget you modify and move funds as required.”