Salary bump for schools boss

PHILLIPSBURG | The new Phillipsburg schools superintendent would earn about $20,000 more than his predecessor, according to the contract awaiting county approval.

Mark B. Miller's contract, still under review with the Warren County Department of Education, proposes a $175,000 annual salary. Gordon Pethick left the position in January earning $154,191.

Officials came up with the figure after comparing the salaries of superintendents at other so-called Abbott and like-sized school districts across Warren, Hunterdon and Sussex counties, according to Phillipsburg Board of Education President Paul Rummerfield.

"It's an awful lot of money. There's no getting around that," Rummerfield said Tuesday. "But until the state steps in and puts a cap on superintendent salaries, the market's going to bear what the market's going to bear.

"If you want a decent superintendent, you're going to have to pay a decent price."

Phillipsburg school officials had declined to release Miller's contract until it is approved by the county. County officials released it Tuesday after The Express-Times requested it under the New Jersey Open Public Records Act.

County officials have not released a timeline for approving the contract. Miller said he hopes to start by month's end.

Miller's base salary surpasses that of Hackettstown Superintendent Robert Gratz, who since being named the highest paid school administrator in the county as of Jan. 1 has received a raise to more than $174,000.

Gratz also earns a $10,009 annual annuity and $4,777 annual automobile allowance.

Miller said these perks did not appear necessary to him or the school board when negotiating his own contract.

"I felt it unfair to go for these kinds of hidden things," Miller said Tuesday. "I'm there to do a job, and I didn't think I needed" such perks.

A business cell phone and computer as well as reimbursement for mileage and tuition are included in Miller's contract.

Rummerfield said he felt the figure was fair in keeping with comparable regional pay rates and taking into consideration Miller's 24 years' experience in education.

School board member Tom McGuire said because Miller will be taking charge of the county's largest district, the salary shouldn't be too shocking.

"It doesn't seem unrealistic that he be paid a salary in line with his peers," McGuire said.

Miller, who remains the Newton, N.J., superintendent until the contract receives county approval, stands to make about $23,000 more than his previous job.

As the county's largest school district, Phillipsburg serves about 3,500 students. Newton has about 1,700 students.

Miller's salary is set to increase by 3 percent every July until 2012, when the contract expires.

Phillipsburg teachers union President Barbara English said the salary bodes well for future teachers' contracts.

"It sounds like it will be a very good thing for others in the district," said English, of the Phillipsburg Education Association.