With a growing number of schools around the country struggling to meet the demands of the No Child Left Behind law, many districts are willing to pay rock-star salaries and perks for the right turnaround artist, according to a Christian Science Monitor article.
A suburban Atlanta district considered hiring a superintendent who was asking for a $275,000 salary, along with a $2 million consultant budget, a Lincoln Town Car — and a personal bodyguard.
Who knew being a school superintendent was a ticket to riches and superstardom?But long hours, politicized school boards and near-impossible accountability goals are driving away many qualified school principals and bureaucrats who once moved up to superintendent jobs, according to the article.
As a result, the dwindling number of quality candidates can command bigger paychecks and more lavish perks: Average annual salaries have nearly doubled, from about $110,000 a decade ago to more than $200,000 today.
Let’s hope the Wichita school board finds candidates who will settle for more modest perks — like free passes to Old Cowtown Museum.
