The beleaguered Baltimore school system paid more than $4.6 million in severance packages during the 2005-06 budget year.
Several of the system?s top administrators fared extremely well in their send-offs, and, all told, 400 severance packages ranging from $140,476 to a mere $6.75 were approved.
Teachers, their aides and a variety of maintenance and service personnel typically received the lowest payments, according to payroll records obtained by The Examiner through the Maryland Public Information Act. The MPIA request is part of an ongoing project The Examiner is doing to shed light on public pay and benefits for public employees. (Click here to download the entire Excel file detailing the school system’s pay package.)
But the records ? 1,060 pages detailing salaries, overtime and severance pay for 14,040 schools employees ? list more than 20 high-level employees. They include chief executive officers, directors, principals, department heads and managers who were granted packages of $20,000 or more in severance. At least eight high-ranking officials received $70,000 to $80,000 each. Collectively, 10 were paid more than $800,000.
During the time when the most extravagant severance deals were made, the system was embroiled in an ongoing slew of concerns that included inadequate classroom texts and supplies as well as needed repairs to aging school buildings.
Low test scores, high dropout rates and violence also beset the 82,000-student school system, among the nation?s worst.
“It angers me to hear of these huge payouts when my daughter went for three years without a physical education class because the schools said they were trying to save money,” said James Williams, a co-founder of Parents Organizing Parents of Baltimore City, a group that lobbies for legislation to improve schools.
Williams said he believes a lot of cronyism surrounds severance pay among top administrators. He said most of those involved are members of elite sororities and fraternities who are in the habit of looking out for one another.
“I?m not surprised at all that someone can get a severance package in excess of $100,000,” Williams said. “But just because they?ve been there a certain time doesn?t mean they deserve a big reward. They shouldn?t be rewarded when they leave because what they do is a public service.”
Linda Muhammad, the parent of a first-grader at Govans Elementary, shared the sense of indignation.
“It?s extreme when you see that a low-ranking employee only received $6.75,” she said.
About 90 city schools failed to meet yearly progress goals because of insufficient funding, she said.
Muhammad said the school system needs a school board accountable to its community.
“We need to have accountability, and we?re working now to put in legislation for a majority-elected school board,” she said, adding that her group is working with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
Top 10 Highest Paid City School?s Severance Packages
» Anthony Trotta, paid leave – $140,476.05
» John Lennon, director payroll – $107,400.00
» Judith Donaldson, board executive – $88,570.42
» Marva Randolph, high school principal – $82,287.22
» Gayle Amos, chief executive officer adm. leave – $79,341.41
» Ramona Jones, assistant principal – $77,386.12
» Georgia Brown, assistant principal – $77,345.19
» Gloria Hairston, elementary principal – $76,448.57
» Ruth Bukatman, middle school principal – $71,000.00
» Wilton Randall, manager building operations – $70,096.02
Source: Payroll records for 2005-06 school year.
