How Much Do The Candidates for Falls Superintendent Make?

The Menomonee Falls School Board has narrowed down the candidates for the new superintendent position down to three. And Patch thought it would be interesting to play the numbers game, and compare the current salaries of the three candidates with the Falls Superintendent Dr. Keith Marty.

Marty has served the district for 22 years, 12 years as the assistant superintendent and 10 years as superintendent. Marty of Parkway School District, which is a district of 17,500 students in the suburbs of St. Louis.

As Marty heads south to Parkway, his salary will take a significant trip northward. Marty signed a three-year contract with a starting salary of $220,000. In 2011, Marty is set to make $144,108 with fringe benefits of $48,737 in Menomonee Falls, according to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.

Just over a week ago, the School Board pool for Marty’s job from 29 to three. But the final candidate might not be primed for a similar boost in pay when they head to Menomonee Falls. Here’s what the salaries look like for the final three candidates:

• Dr. Patricia Herdrich is the superintendent of West Bend Joint #1 School District. She has five years of local experience in West Bend and will take in a salary of $152,254 with fringe benefits of $39,927 in 2011.
• Conrad Farner has 22 years of experience in the education field, and has served as superintendent of the Greenfield School District since 2007. In 2011, he is set to make a salary $141,070 with fringe benefits of $46,858.
• The final candidate, Charles Johns, serves as principal of Rolling Meadows High School in Palatine, IL. Salary data for Johns on 2011 isn’t available with the Illinois Board of Education. However, in 2010 he took in a salary of $153,745 and fringe benefits totaling $45,918.

For some perspective, Marty is the 53rd highest paid administrator in the state, according to DPI data. Milwaukee Public Schools Superintendent Gregory Thornton tops the state list with a salary of $265,000 and fringe benefits totaling $77,398.

Last week, School Board members dined with the three finalists for a casual interview. On Monday, there was another closed session meeting to discuss feedback from those meetings.

The School Board will soon make its final decision on who will fill Marty’s position. An extensive background check and salary negotiations will begin once the final candidate is identified. School Board President Kathy Surilla said the new superintendent will be introduced at the May 9 board meeting.