Superintendents take heat on 'obscene' compensation Wednesday, May 10, 2006 • BY DUNSTAN McNICHOL• Star-Ledger Staff Lawmakers and the acting state education commissioner yesterday sharply criticized the perks and salaries given to superintendents in New Jersey's poorest school districts, saying they were sparking outrage among residents who help foot the $4.2 billion tab for aid to 31 needy districts. "It's an obscene amount of money. No wonder people are in re volt," Assemblyman Gary Schaer (D-Passaic) said during a conten tious four-hour budget hearing yesterday. "Frankly, I don't understand why they haven't already burned down the Bastille." "We're honestly reaching a breaking point," added Assemblyman John Burzichelli (D-Gloucester). Assemblyman Lou Greenwald (D-Camden), the committee chairman, opened yesterday's hearing on the Department of Education's budget by reading through the provisions of contracts that state officials have negotiated with superintendents in three school districts operated by the state -- Newark, Paterson and Jersey City. He cited a $10,000 deposit into one superintendent's post-retirement annuity account; pledges to pay up to $175 per day for 493.5 accrued sick days; and a $1,000-per-month housing allowance on top of a salary scheduled to rise from $212,000 to $222,000 over two years. Later, Republicans took aim at a trip to London taken in 2004 by Jersey City Superintendent Charles Epps, who last year was elected to the Assembly. According to receipts from that trip, Epps stayed in a five-star hotel, rode a limousine from the airport and had an $80 steak at a restaurant called Rules that has its own estate, where it raises the game hens it serves. "Our frustration level is at an all-time high," Greenwald told act ing state Education Commissioner Lucille Davy as the hearing wrapped up. "We need answers. We're seeking them. We're demanding them." Epps, reached at his Jersey City office yesterday evening, said his pay and enefits are in line with what other superintendents make. He earns $225,038. "In fact, it's probably less than superintendents make across the country," he said. "There are districts that are a lot smaller than mine that make a lot more than me." Davy, however, told lawmakers she shared their concerns about the level of some school officials' compensation. "I think some of these clauses go well beyond what is reasonable, particularly in light of our fiscal problems," she said. Dunstan McNichol covers state government issues. He may be reached at (609) 989-0341 or dmcnichol@starledger.com. © 2006 The Star-Ledger. Used by NJ.com with permission.