Thursday, 4:30 PM
Contract approved for new city schools chief
By Tracy Jan, Globe Staff
Carol Johnson will earn a base salary of $275,000 her first year as Boston’s superintendent, making her the highest-paid schools chief in the city’s history, according to her contract approved Wednesday night.
Johnson’s base salary is $70,000 more than that of Thomas W. Payzant, who served as superintendent for 11 years, and $5,000 more than Michael G. Contompasis received. Contompasis took over after Payzant retired last June. Otherwise, the contract has similar perks to her predecessors in Boston.
Like Payzant, Johnson will be eligible to receive a yearly performance bonus of up to $20,000 if she fulfills the goals outlined by the School Committee. The goals could include improving test scores, getting more parents involved in schools, and attending community events and public meetings, said a school system spokesman.
Johnson will also receive a $7,200 annual car allowance, annual contributions toward her retirement, and a housing allowance of up to $18,000 while she sells her house in Memphis. Her contract, excluding the one-time housing allowance and retirement contributions that have yet to be calculated, could be worth up to $302,200 a year.
She will also receive a 2.5 percent raise each year, provided she has satisfactory performance. By June 30, 2012, when her contract expires, Johnson will be paid a $303,548 base salary.
The Boston School Committee formally approved Johnson’s appointment and offered her a five-year contract Wednesday night, making her the highest paid city official in Boston, judging on base salary.
Mayor Thomas M. Menino, who ranks second, makes a base salary of $175,000, according to the Boston Municipal Research Bureau. The police and fire commissioners each make $167,500. The school superintendent’s salary traditionally tops the list.
