Legislature increases salary caps for education leadership
The House and Senate passed Tuesday that would raise the maximum salary for the state department of education superintendent and other department officials.
The decision comes at a time when the Hawaii Department of Education is struggling to make ends meet after significant budget cuts from the state.
The superintendent’s annual maximum salary allowance will increase from $150,000 to $160,000, with a potential annual performance bonus that could reach as much as $90,000 after three years on the job.
The deputy superintendent’s salary cap is being increased to $130,000 from $120,000 per year, with an annual performance bonus of up to $50,000. Assistant superintendents can now make as much as $120,000 per year, with annual performance bonuses of up to $20,000.
The new law allows for complex area superintendents, who oversee several schools in the same geographical area, to be paid an annual salary of up to $120,000, with a maximum performance bonus of $40,000.
The new salary caps will apply during the 2011-2012 school year.
Given the department’s financial struggles — Furlough Fridays are still unresolved — do you think this a good time to increase salary caps?
