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The Abington Citizens Network
where Abington, PA residents can share ideas and join forces to build a better community

   The Superintendent's Salary 
& Other Issues

If you see anything you know to be in error -
please contact me so it can be corrected.


First let me say  that  I do not want to detract from all the good things that are happening in our schools or the good things that have been done by the staff, teachers and administration at ASD. But the furor over the Superintendent's salary when it was published by the newspapers and a larger segment of the community knew,  left many residents dumbfounded. And they were unable to find a place to address it - as the current Board are the very ones who have approved this salary.Althought the salary was always quoted as $319,000, very rarely dis anyone quote the virtually "automatic bonuses" of, for example, $26,000 which meant her take home was substantially higher and it included many other special bonuses in the forms of  life insurance and other perks that others do not get.  For years we asked to have the actual cost of her package shared. As you can see if you follow the link below, the cost to the taxpayer is in excess of  $479,000 just prior to her retirement.    

COST OF THE SUPERINTENDENT'S PACKAGE TO TAXPAYERS
After years of seeking this - I received it 6-6-18 from Board President McGarry

·        As far as Dr. Sichel’s contract is concerned, set forth below are the facts concerning the cost to the district/value of her “package” for the 2017/2018 school year:

o    Contract Payments

§  Base pay: $319,749

§  Bonus: $26,102

§  IRS Tax Deferred Payment: $22,400

§  Retention payment: $15,000

§  Flexible Premium Variable Life Insurance Payment: $10,000

§  Term Life Insurance Premium: $1,272

o    Benefits Received by all Central Staff Employees including Dr. Sichel

§  District’s Share of the PSERS contribution made on behalf of Dr. Sichel: $52,071

§  Vacation Days (Dr. Sichel received 30 vacation days during the 2017/2018 school year)

§  Sick Days – 12

§  Holidays – 13

§  Bereavement Days – 3

§  Medical Health Coverage (the District’s share of Dr. Sichel’s medical health coverage for the 2017/2018 school year was $20,865)

§  Dental Insurance (the District’s share of Dr. Sichel’s dental insurance for the 2017/2018 school year was $842)

§  Group term life insurance (the cost to the District for Dr. Sichel’s group term life insurance for the 2017/2018 school year was $942)

§  Long Term Disability (the cost to the District for Sichel’s long term disability insurance for the 2017/2018 school year was $244)

§  Mileage reimbursement at the IRS rate for school district travel in her personal automobile

o    In addition, Dr. Sichel has the following additional benefits

§  The District pays for her participation in PASA ($1,600 for the 2017/2018 school year)

§  The District provides a Professional Development and Travel Expense budget for Dr. Sichel of $8,000.  As of today there is approximately $4,886 remaining in that budget line.

§  The District provides a cell phone for Dr. Sichel (and several other administrators).  The cost of this cell phone is $59.35 per month.

§  Finally, Dr. Sichel has the right under her contract to surrender accumulated sick days and vacation days into a TSA every year.  This does not cost the district any money, because these are vacation days and sick days she has already earned (and are accounted for above) and for which the district will be obligated to pay her upon her retirement.  In fact, Dr. Sichel’s use of this benefit actually saves the District from having to make PSERS contributions and FICA payments on these dollars, thus saving the district thousands of dollars.

Adding it up :    $319,749 +$26,102 + $22,400 =368,251  +$15,000,+$10,000  = 393,251 +$1272  + $52,071 = 446,594 + $20,865   + $842 +  $942,= 469,243  + $244,+ $1600,+ $8000 +$712,
=  $479,799   
Plus mileage – plus value of saved vacation days

 

))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
 

THE SUPERINTENDENT'S 2015 CONTRACT
https://abingtoncitizens.com/aaISSUES/SchoolIssues/2015-05-26SuperintendentAgreement.pdf
HER SALARY OF $319,000 (a 132% increase from 2000 - about 6% increase for every year while the average Cost of Living increase has been about 2.2% a year), bonuses and a plethora of benefits not afforded to any other employees . While our schools are very good, they are not the top rated schools in PA ---although her salary is the top salary in PA.  Another important  question is at what rate did the TEAM of teachers and others increase as her salary and benefits  increased? Did they also get a 6% increas on average over the last 14 or 15 years. When Dr Sichel arrived on the scene in the (1990's as a guidance couselor ?) Abington had a reputation for good schools. That is why she and I both  chose Abington Schools for our own children.  So where is the analysis that Dr Sichel has not just managed to keep the "status quo and keep the good schools good?  Did we have a rank then and now. If anyone has that information, please share it.  In addition I am highly concerned about paying someone a salary such as this when they are holding down 3-4 other jobs at the same time. Are the "connections" important for the few that will ride the coat tails - or for the entire student body that she is to be serving?  Do we want someone influencing policy when clearly they think that leaders should be compensated so far above those that are actually teaching and mentoring our children?  Isn't this what's wrong with Washington?   There are so many questions to be answered when things are this far askew.


THE SUPERINTENDENT'S 2015 CONTRACT

https://abingtoncitizens.com/aaISSUES/SchoolIssues/2015-05-26SuperintendentAgreement.pdf

HER SALARY OF $319,000 (a 132% increase from 2000 - about 6% increase for every year while the average Cost of Living increase has been about 2.2% a year), bonuses and a plethora of benefits not afforded to any other employees . While our schools are very good, they are not the top rated schools in PA ---although her salary is the top salary in PA.  Another important  question is at what rate did the TEAM of teachers and others increase as her salary and benefits  increased? Did they also get a 6% increas on average over the last 14 or 15 years. When Dr Sichel arrived on the scene in the (1990's as a guidance couselor ?) Abington had a reputation for good schools. That is why she and I both  chose Abington Schools for our own children.  So where is the analysis that Dr Sichel has not just managed to keep the "status quo and keep the good schools good?  Did we have a rank then and now. If anyone has that information, please share it.  In addition I am highly concerned about paying someone a salary such as this when they are holding down 3-4 other jobs at the same time. Are the "connections" important for the few that will ride the coat tails - or for the entire student body that she is to be serving?  Do we want someone influencing policy when clearly they think that leaders should be compensated so far above those that are actually teaching and mentoring our children?  Isn't this what's wrong with Washington?   There are so many questions to be answered when things are this far askew.
_______________________________


THE SUPERINTENDENT'S FIRST CONTRACT in 2000 - see the difference https://abingtoncitizens.com/aaISSUES/SchoolIssues/Sichel-2000Contract-OrigContract.pdf
HER INITIAL SALARY OF $137,200 in an agreement that contained just a few pages and just a few extra benefits
_______________________________

10-13-15 School Board Meeting - By the time of this meeting not a single School Board member had contacted me to answer the questions I posed a full 8 days earlier.  Among the questions that I asked either earlier or at the meeting was how it was possible for the Superintentdent to manage 4 jobs, several of which appear to be quite time consuming . The answer received at the meeting was basically that she is available 24/7 and does a great job so that seemed not to matter ( to any School Board member , all of whom had an opportunity to weigh in.)  I mentioned that at the salary we are paying, Abington residents like myself believe this to be a full time job.  In fact, if she is not on the job, then others  would have to do whatever it would be that she would have done when she was on the job.  Earlier, Dr Altadonna was scheduled to retire. He was retained .......  If his or other salaries are doing the Superintendent's work, then those salaries also should be calculated as part of the cost of  retaining this Superintendent.  I think there is a lot going on here that need a fuller analysis on behalf of the taxpayers of Abington Township.
  The School Board member, Michele Tinsman,  who had treated the resident so rudely at the last meeting refused to apologize saying that she would not apologize for running an efficient meeting.
_______________________________

9-08-15 School Board Meeting-   At the School Board Meeting  a candidate asking questions is treated like an errant child. The School Board member, Michele Tinsman,  acted like a domineering parent. I don't believe any  taxpayer or resident needs to be treated in such a fashion - and School Board members who do this should not be tolerated when issues such as this salary and other issues are stifled in this manner. Issues such as how this unbelieveable salary was put in place deserve a great deal of scrutiny and answerability from the Board members that approved it.
_______________________________

2015 In addition to teaching and or counseling or mentoring at Penn the Superintendent is also assuming similar dutes at Delaware Valley College ( not sure of the start date on these duties.) Starting July 2015 Dr Sichel will be making 319,000
http://montgomerynews.com/articles/2015/07/05/glenside_news
_globe_times_chronicle/opinion/doc55998471747d1577195727.txt

_______________________________

6-17-15 PHILLY NEWS COVERS THE SUPERINTENDENT'S SALARY BUMP UP TO $319,714. THAT BUMP IS JUST A FRACTION OF THE PICTURE
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20150607_Pa__s_top-paid_
school_chief_-_at__300_000-plus_-_gets_raise.html

The story does not cover the unbelieveable benefits package that has risen at the same time. What is the FULL yearly cost to the Township of the salary and benefits package? given the exceptional retirement benefits negotiated - what will it be when she retires which may be only 5 years away ??? Nor does this article answer some other questions that might seem reasonable to ask ie: the fact that she has (or has had ) 3 other jobs including teaching, publishing, and running a national organization, while being paid full time here. While she is available by email and phone, what % of her time does she actually work for Abington and this salary? Were personal days taken when she needed to bein another place for one of the other functions? The article also does not cover the full cost to the Township when we have to hire ANOTHER superintendent and still pay her retirement costs.While she admits that there was a "we" to the accomplishments she delivered, did we all get paid so handsomely? If a team, including staff teachers and administrators and others were reasons for the successes - how does her increase in salary and benefits compare to theirs? And how does it affect that 20% of the population that qualify for lunch assistance? Is this one of the reasons why they need it?
_______________________________

WHAT ABOUT THE INCOMES OF THE PEOPLE WHO ARE PAYING THE SUPERINTENDENT'S SALARY?
One Study: The average American wage hasn't grown at all since 2000 by Keith Wagstaff http://theweek.com/articles/460835/average-american-wage-hasnt-grown-all-since-2000 Meanwhile: Social Security has increased only 35% from 2000 to 2013. From 2013 to 2015 it increased 3.23 %. That's a total of 39 % since 2000. If Dr. Sichel's salary were at a rate that seniors living on Social Security could afford she would be making $190,700. Instead - while our seniors are getting a 39% increase - she is getting 132% increase. https://www.ssa.gov/news/cola/automatic-cola.htm
Check my math - I didn't graduate from Abington, maybe I'm in error. I based the result on compound interest.
_______________________________

6-5-15 ON THE HEELS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT'S SALARY COMES A SCHOOL BUDGET INCREASE OF 2.86% TO NEARLY A $147 MILLION DOLLAR BUDGET
2013-14 = 136.6 million 27.80 mills
2014-15 = $143.2 million 29.06 mills 4.53% increase (2015 COLA was 1.5% - Cost of Living Adjustment)
2105-16 = $147,293,503 29.89 mills 2.86% increase (2016 COLA was 0%)
http://www.montgomerynews.com/articles/2015/07/05/glenside_news_globe_times_
chronicle/news/doc559984f3ccea9118107805.txt

_______________________________

7-5-15 TED TAYLOR AT LARGE ASKS:
What local official makes more than the vice president of the United States? Earns more than a U.S. senator? Takes home more money than any school superintendent in the commonwealth? Even makes more than the superintendent of the Philadelphia school district ( that has 250,000 students not 7,000 to 8,000)? And that is without adding bonuses, perks and the income and other benefits from 4 other jobs. http://www.montgomerynews.com/articles/2015/07/05/glenside_news_
globe_times_chronicle/opinion/doc55998471747d1577195727.txt

_______________________________

2013 Concern has been expressed about the amount of time the Superintendent is spending in Abington
While she simultaneously heads the Assoc of School Superintendents and continues teaching and mentoring at Penn and at Delaware Valley College see  her profile at AASA . The salary for her position that has been greatly increased during the course of her time at Abington, including a very substantial increase in benefits, deserves more scrutiny than it is apparently getting and the amount of time that is put in directly towards her duties to Abington should be accounted for . Has anyone seen such an analysis. Dr Altadonna delayed his retirement, it might be assumed to manage some of the duties for Dr Sichel, but how is this accounted for in dollars and cents?
_______________________________

2010 Dr Sichel is the 2010 Pa Superintendent of the Year
_______________________________

6-09 The superintendent's new salary of $238,000
She's also receiving a (10% ?) raise and a 10 % bonus ( which was reported in 08 in a taped interview as being higher than that of the Mayor of Philadelphia and that of the Governor of PA )  has been an item for discussion as both the township and school struggle to balance budgets in economic hard times. One item cited as a kudo warranting the salary was the obtaining of a grant for the TV station. But the TV station grant monies "obtained" came from the Township and out of the pockets of the residents of Abington, (those who have cable contributed to the funds from whence the grant derived ) & the Township's treasury is now offset by the monies that went to the School . Attempts to get the channel underway for substantially less with existing equipment were continually denied.
In addition to salary raises and bonuses that do not reflect the hard economic times or the fact that many residents have experienced cuts in salary or lay-offs, our tax collector appeared before the Board to request --- and receive--- an inflation rider for his fees. As of this writing, we have not been able to even calculate all of the costs of collecting our taxes township-wide (meaning for both School & Township). From the budget book  it should be easily discerned, but it is not clear to the average resident, though the answer might lie in there somewhere if we were to hire an accountant. A request to the Commissioner, tax office and others produced pieces of the puzzle. And we have been offered the audit- which we hope to take a look at. But the entire picture while not clear shows an office staff , a tax collector, & some additional agencies making what seem to be adequate or more than adequate amounts . So in this year of economic uncertainty, taping into a fund balance to offer these salaries and guarantees is a practice that might deserve more scrutiny.
_______________________________

2004-2009 Dr Sichel was President of the Suburban Superintendents Study Council
_______________________________

1981 - Dr Sichel began as adjunct associate professor at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education
_______________________________

SHARE OR CORRECT
Please feel free to send your information to us and please be sure to contact us about any information you believe to be incorrect.  Please verify the info with your Township or School authorities before relying on what you read here. We do our best to get things right but we may misunderstand or miss a correction .......

This site is a forum for information sharing and idea sharing. Please feel free to  contact us.
_______________________________

Please feel free to send your  information to us  and please be sure to  tell us about any information you believe to be incorrect - write  lel@abingtoncitizens.com



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