Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

PROVIDENCE -- Rhode Island's new education commissioner Deborah Gist, and her bosses, the Board of Regents for Elementary and Secondary Education, have signed a three-year contract that takes effect nearly a month earlier than expected -- June 8 -- and will pay Gist about $20,000 more a year than departing Commissioner Peter McWalters now earns.

Gist, 42, was selected in April and her original start date was July 1. But Gist's previous job as Washington D.C.'s schools chief wrapped up and she was available to begin early, said Elliot Krieger, a spokesman for the state Department of Education.

Gist will now have a chance to work closely with McWalters and ensure a smooth transition, said Robert G. Flanders, Jr., chairman of the Regents.

"Peter McWalters is very much engaged and has been fantastic about the transition," Flanders said. "So for Peter to share his take on various pending issues is valuable. There is a lot to take in during a short period of time, and we saw this as a rare opportunity to accomplish a successful transition."

McWalters, 62, will step down June 30 after 17½ years, making him one of the longest serving education commissioners in the country. This year, he earns about $152,000, plus $31,500 in retirement benefits because he does not participate in the state pension system, for total compensation of $183,500.

Gist's contract will run from June 8, 2009 through June 7, 2012. For the first year of the contract, she will earn $190,000 in base salary, plus $13,870 for retirement, or a total of $203,870, an amount that was approved by the state Department of Administration.

Unlike McWalters, Gist will participate in the state retirement system. In addition to health, vacation and sick leave benefits, Gist will receive $5,000 toward her moving expenses, and either the use of a state car or a $200 a month transportation stipend if she prefers to use her own vehicle.

Gist's six-page contract adds a new perk: a possible performance bonus, although the amount or the goals Gist would have to reach to receive one have not been ironed out.

"The Regents agree to actively pursue legislative or other authority to establish a 'pay for performance' pool of funds to offer additional salary to the Commissioner conditioned upon the outcome of her annual performance reviews," states the contract.

The Regents felt it was only fair to include a performance bonus since the concept is being considered for teachers, say education officials.

Providence Supt. Tom Brady receives a similar bonus. Brady earns $244,000 a year -- $190,000 in taxpayer-financed salary, plus $54,000 in deferred compensation and a performance bonus paid for by a private foundation.

 Tags  Board of Regents for Elementary and Secondary Education salary

Comments

Don said:

Hmmmm....So we've hired the ex head of the Washington, DC schools to "fix" Rhode Island's schools. I guess if Rhode Island builds an ocean liner we'll hire the captain of the Titanic to run it! DC has the highest per pupil cost and the lowest performance in the USA. That's a tough act to duplicate.

Link | May 11, 2009 7:15 PM
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JD said:

I am sickened by the excess of salaries and bonuses in a field where we have books falling apart and not enough supplies available to teach our children. How can someone earn that amount of money, while our schools are running out of paper, pencils, books, etc. And the thought of performance bonuses truly frightens me. Our children our tested way too much now.

Link | May 11, 2009 10:22 PM
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Mario said:

There is simply no excuse for allowing unelected boards such as these to sign multi-year contracts in the first place. Until they start to show some level of responsibility, every state contract should be put up to a public vote. When is the next constitutional convention?

Link | May 14, 2009 3:26 PM
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