Super Cuts: Hopatcong Superintendent Opposes Christie's Proposed Salary Cap

Hopatcong Schools Superintendant Dr. Charles Maranzano isn't worth the money — or at least that's what Gov. Chris Christie believes.

Maranzano, who earns $170,000 a year, would be about $15,000 overpaid, according to a plan Christie announced last week to cap the state's superintendent salaries based on district size.

Under the new limits, superintendents of school districts like Hopatcong that have between 1,501 and 3,000 students wouldn't be able to make more than $155,000 a year.

Marazano, who joined the district in July 2009, has three years left on his contract and, thus, wouldn't be affected by the new cap until his deal expired.

Maranzano thinks Christie's limits would hurt the state's schools.

"It concerns me," Maranzano said.

"This is a very broad sweep to diminish the respect [superintendents] have earned in education and as a profession. The decision to limit or to reduce pay for highly-trained professionals is a very serious move that will have a diminishing effect on the profession."

Maranzano, who holds four masters degrees, said other highly educated people with an interest in education will either pick new careers or leave New Jersey.

"Who's to say suddenly that we're not worth the money?" he said.

"I think a lot of people will leave the state. They'll look at Pennsylvania or Delaware or New York. They'll look where the money is."

Maranzano isn't the only one Christie feels is overpaid. According to New Jersey Department of Education data, 386 school superintendents currently earn more than the new salary cap would permit, the Office of the Governor said in a release.

The release also said overpaid superintendents cost school districts a total of $9.8 million, based on current salaries.

And while the governor is prepared to offer superintendents with new contracts year-by-year performance-based incentives of up to 15 percent, Maranzano still thinks it's a bad idea.

"[Christie] says superintendents are overpaid," Maranzano said. "I don't see that anywhere when you compare us to business officials.

"We don't produce products. But the results of our work are an informed citizenry."

In 2008, the Legislature gave the state commissioner, Bret Schundler, the ability to cap superintendent compensation. Schundler's spokespeople recently said it would impose the limits as soon as possible.

Maranzano, who admitted he'll be affected less by the cap since he's in the late stages of his career, said, "These limits certainly don't value the investment into our educational background. And they also don't respect the tremendous amount of responsibilities we undertake."

Christie's announcement also irked New Jersey Association of School Administrators Executive Director Richard G. Bozza. He believed state government shouldn't control local superintendent salaries.

"We are dismayed to hear that locally negotiated school administrator contracts are categorized as abuse and we believe a blanket statewide salary cap is not the answer," Bozza said in a July 15 press release.

"New Jersey education administrative costs are less than those in 41 other states, and have been negotiated by taxpayers' elected school board local officials. Educational needs, as well as future contracts, should remain a local issue."

Christie's superintendent salary chart:

• Up to 250 students: $125,000
• 251 - 750: $135,000
• 751 - 1,500: $145,000
• 1,501 - 3,000: $155,000
• 3,001 - 6,500: $165,000
• 6,501 - 10,000: $175,000
• More than 10,000: Determined by the Department of Education