The East Williston Board of Education voted unanimously at Monday’s meeting to write a letter to Gov. Andrew Cuomo suggesting that he adjust the pay cap for BOCES district superintendents to reflect current standards.
Trustee David Keefe, the board’s BOCES liaison, said, “This letter to Gov. Cuomo is to suggest that the Legislature take action to continue to keep the same concept in mind, but to change the baseline to a more current baseline.”
New York education law limits BOCES superintendents’ salaries to 98 percent of the state education commissioner’s 2003-4 salary, which was $166,762.
According to the Council of State Governments, the education commissioner’s 2016 salary amounted to $250,000.
“This board has found, as many boards have found across the state, … that local BOCES are not able to retain superintendents,” said President Mark Kamberg. “They are there for very short periods of times.”
“School districts all across the state rely on BOCES for many avenues of support,” he said. “Without the consistency of a sitting superintendent it has become difficult to use those support beacons.”
“That is why this district is looking for the support of the state to take a look at how they are capping their salaries,” said Kamberg.
The amended salary cap “would have to be passed by the Legislature next year and of course, signed by the governor,” said Keefe.
