Bonuses are not uncommon for government lawyers.

I had always thought that public servants weren't allowed to receive commissions, bonuses or gratuities and that their salary and expectations was totally transparent.

Jersey City Board of Education approves supervisors contract that cuts starting salaries, gives 2.5 percent raises in each year, and rewards principals with 'bonuses' if parental participation rises and honor rolls grow

Friday, September 24, 2010
By MELISSA HAYES
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

Without a word, the Jersey City Board of Education last night unanimously passed a contract for district supervisors that lowers starting salaries, grants a 2.5 percent raise each year, and includes performance-based bonuses.

The contract passed in a 9-0 single vote along with 35 other finance-related items. After the vote, board president William DeRosa noted that the contract passed. "It's a very innovative contract," he added.

Susan Harbace, president of the Administrators and Supervisors Association and principal at School 29, negotiated the contract and said it was difficult to move from a salary guide with steps to a salary range with a starting salary reduced about $20,000 for assistant and vice principals.

The three-year contract, retroactive to Sept. 1, impacts 166 district employees, including assistant principals, vice principals, principals, supervisors and directors.

The contract calls for a 2.5 percent raise each year, but members must also contribute 1.5 percent of their salaries toward health benefits.

Under the new contract, the minimum salary for assistant principals and supervisors will be $83,000 for the 2010-11 through 2012-13 school years. By the end of the contract, elementary assistant principals could earn a maximum $131,230 annually, high school vice principals up to $137,839, and supervisors up to $133,713.

Starting salary for elementary and high school principals and directors will be $102,000. By the end of the contract, elementary school principals could make up to $137,839, high school principals up to $148,097, and directors up to $146,060.

A press release issued by Superintendent Charles Epps Jr.'s office said the new contract would no longer virtually double the salaries of teachers who become administrators.

The contract calls for $3,300 more for administrators with a master's degree and 32 credits, and $6,600 more for administrators with doctorates.

The contract also calls for performance-based bonuses, which the district calls "merit pay," for principals, vice principals and assistant principals.

Harbace said the bonuses are not based on test scores because it would give some schools an unfair advantage. "We just want to make it fair for everybody," she said.

Some of the bonuses are easily attainable, like $1,000 for perfect attendance. Others are based on student attendance, grades and parental involvement - areas the district is working to address.

For example, if 5 percent of the student population at a school is represented by parents at the PTA meetings, administrators can get $300. And if 5 percent of the student population makes honor roll, the contract calls for a $300 bonus, which increases to $400 for 10 percent and $500 for 15 percent.

The Board of Education is having a special meeting tomorrow at 9 a.m. at the board office on Claremont Avenue, where the board will discuss performance benchmarks for the superintendent behind closed doors.