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052402 Dennis' salary raised in surprise decision
By FRANK NARDOZZI
In an unexpected development, while residents were still voting on the Bedford Central school budget, the school board on Tuesday night voted 6 to 1 to give its superintendent of schools the opportunity to earn two percent more than his contract allows over the next three years, based on an annual performance evaluation.
Bruce Dennis, who is already one of the highest paid superintendents in Westchester, was given a five-year contract two years ago with an annual three percent salary increase. His salary then was about $182,715. It would have risen to approximately $211,814 over the course of five years.
Although his current salary was not immediately disclosed, it is estimated to be about $193,841. If the additional two percent increase in salary was approved for him for each of the next three years, it would bring his final year's salary up to an estimated $224,394.
With an additional $30,000 in fringe benefits, including health insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, retirement and social security contributions, as well as use of a district automobile, his entire compensation package will be worth more than $254,000 in 2005.
In proposing the contract amendment to the school board on Tuesday, the school board's president, Dot Fallon, said that, due to a change in state law, the superintendent was eligible to retire on July 1, several years ahead of schedule, with full retirement benefits.
She noted that Dr. Dennis was "very highly regarded" and sought alter by other school districts both to and Out of New York State with compensation packages that were "extremely competitive.'
"Our goal is to keep him here as long as possible," she said, praising Dr. Dennis for his "excellent leadership" of the educational staff and noting the number of new principals who will be starting in September.
She also noted the role he was expected to play in the oversight of construction called for in the recent school bond referendum.
School board member Joe Whelan's request for more financial details was met with a polite rebuff and the school board voted to approve the contract amendment, 6 to 1, wit an the un voteIn opposition.
In another contract action, the board voted to award three five-year contracts to Baumann & Sons Buses of Ronkonkoma. The three contracts were said to be worth as much as $25 million over five years, about $10 million more than the current contract, if all of the buses specified were requested and employed by the school district.
The contracts were awarded for
home-to-school, field and sports trips and summer contract services. They were
awarded to Baumann as the "lowest responsible bidder" in a competitive bid
process, according to Mark Betz
superintendent for business and
administrative services. Mr. Whelan, who asked for more "contract disclosure,"
was the lone vote in opposition to the contract, which was approved by a vote of
6 to 1.
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