By James Lomuscio
Schools Superintendent Elliott Landon seems poised to remain Westport’s top wage earner into the future.
Elliott Landon addresses the school board tonight after it extended his contract and awarded him a 2 percent salary increase to $287,899 effective July 1, 2012. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
The Board of Education tonight unanimously renewed Landon’s contract for two more years effective July 1, 2012, the first year with a 2 percent salary bump for an annual compensation of $287,899.
Under Landon’s current contract, which expires June 30, 2012, he earns $282,254, $5,645 less. Landon, 71, has been superintendent since 1999.
In making the motion to renew Landon’s contract, Donald O’Day, school board chairman, said that the terms and condition of employment were hammered out during executive sessions.
“The Board of Education has offered to renew, and Elliott has accepted,” said O’Day. “We are very happy to have him lead our schools. Elliott, glad to have you back.”
“It’s been my great pleasure,” said Landon. “I look forward to very exciting things.”
O’Day noted that unlike the current contract, the new one would not include performance-based bonuses. Landon said at the meeting’s close that the 2 percent pay increase was for the first year, and that it would be renegotiated each following year.
Board of Education members vote unanimously tonight to extend Elliott Landon’s contract. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
In addition to Landon’s contract, the board unanimously approved a salary adjustment totaling $51,627 for 37 nonunion personnel and Assistant Superintendent of Business Nancy Harris for 2011-12. That amount spread out represents a 2.1 percent increase over the 2010-11 fiscal year.
Since 2005-06, the Board of Education has increased Landon’s salary 23 percent from $234,000 to the new salary of $287,899,
During the same period, the Board of Finance has made no salary change for the town’s top post, First Selectman, which remains $101,175.
I’d be curious to know if a 23% increase in salary for a superintendent during a 5 year period of extreme economic turmoil, reflects the national average?
No it is all part of the rubber stamp process. Even when called on it the Board says it is justified. Interesting that managers in other towns decline increases as they know how difficult times are. But the BoE just keeps rolling along. Ignorance is bliss.
Astonding!