Hartford’s top paid public school administrators oversee 16,827 students. Here’s what they earn to do it.
There are 16,827 students attending Hartford Public Schools and a long list of administrators to help make it all happen.
The Courant, through a Freedom of Information Act request obtained the payroll for the district’s 23 top wage earners for fiscal year 2022-23.
Some of the salaries may seem large, but they are a tiny portion of this year’s HPS budget of $422.7 million.
Although Hartford Public Schools are tackling a $24 million deficit for fiscal year 2023-24, it appears unlikely the solution will be to cut any of the school system’s system’s top 23 wage earners.
Hartford Public Schools spokesman Jesse Sugarman said the central office staff make up only about 8.9% of the entire budget and are all “invaluable members of the school system benefitting our students.”
School leaders announced last week in light of the deficit they are planning to implement a hiring freeze for some positions, consolidate programs and reduce expenses. No filled positions will be cut, Sugarman said.
Projected revenues include nearly $417 million with projected expenses at $441 million, which leaves a nearly 6% deficit for the current year.
Sugarman said all those at the top of the wage earners’ list are 12 mont- employees and “work an incredible number of hours i service to our students.
“If any one of these people were cut our school system would suffer and it would be to the detriment of the students,” Sugarman said.
He said if one looks at all employees making over $100,000, they include principals, assistant principals, and teachers.
Teachers work 182 days with students and have five professional development days, assistant principals are 11-month employees and principals are 12 month employees. Capital Prep teachers work 11 months as they have an extended academic calendar.
“All have different benefits and additional pay options as outlined in their collective bargaining agreements,” he said.
Sugarman said about 58 percent of the HPS budget is in direct school-based expenses, 29 percent is allocated toward transportation and tuition payments made to other school districts.
“This is an area that is growing and of concern,” Superintendent of Schools Leslie Torres-Rodriguez said of the latter. “With increased tuition costs and a growing number of students opting for Open Choice and Regional Education Service Center schools, Hartford Public Schools will be responsible for allocating more funding towards tuition and transportation, and away from school based investments.”
The top 23 salaries from highest to lowest are:
1. Leslie Torres-Rodriguez, Superintendent of Schools, $278, 871
2. Paul Foster, Deputy Superintendent, $195,000
3.Phillip Penn, Chief Financial Officer, $194,750
4. Madeline Negron, Chief Academic Officer, $192,167
5. Bethany Silver, Chief Performance Officer, $184,500
6. Tiffani Curtis, Chief of Talent, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging, $184,500
7. Edward Wilson, Executive Director of Internal investigations, Security, and staff attorney, $179,375
8. Theona Davis-Googe, Chief Operating Officer, $174,250.
9. Jennifer Hoffman, Assistant Superintendent of Special Education and Pupil Services, $170,000
10. Nuchette Black-Burke, Chief Outreach Officer, $169,559
11. Claudio Bazzano, Executive Director of Facilities, $167,519
12. Maureen Colman, Executive Director of Fin Management, $164.386
13.Kenneth O’Brien, principal, $162,154
14. Tory Niles, Executive Director of School Leadership, $162,154
15. Julie Goldstein, principal, $162.154
16. Bethany Sullivan, principal, $162,154
17. Matthew Espinosa, acting principal, $162,154
18. Michael Maziarz, principal, $162,154
19. Kitsia Ferguson, principal, $159,758
20. Chaka Felder, Executive Director of Post Secondary Success, $156,134.
21. Corinne Barney, Executive Director of School Leadership, $156,134
22. Sandra Inga, Executive Director of School Leadership, $156,134
23. Monica Quinones, Executive Director of School Leadership, $156,134
A look at Hartford’s municipal salaries in fiscal year 2021-22 showed the city’s five highest-compensated municipal employees – excluding education salaries – were all members of the police department, averaging $254,289 in combined base salary, overtime, special event and private duty payments.
One, Police Capt. Jeffrey Rousseau earned $288,205, with a base salary to the nearest dollar of about $141,852, private duty payments of $143,733 and $2,619 in special-event pay. He was the highest-paid municipal employee out of 1,745 people who received at least one payment from the city of Hartford in 2021-22.
Police Chief Jason Thody earned $153,699 last fiscal year and Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin earned $174,494.
Hartford Public School Employees Making $100,000 or More
Torres-Rodriguez, Leslie | Superintendent | Office Of The Superintendent | $278,872 |
Foster, Paul | Deputy Superintendent | Office Of The Deputy Superintendent | $195,000 |
Penn, Phillip | Chief Financial Officer | Office Of Finance | $194,750 |
Negron, Madeline | Chief Academic/talent Officer | Office Of Academics | $192,167 |
Curtis, Tiffani | Chief Of Talent Deib | Off Talent Mgmt Labr Relations | $184,500 |
Silver, Bethany | Chief Performance Officer | Office Data & Accountability | $184,500 |
Wilson, Edward | Executive Director | Off Talent Mgmt Labr Relations | $179,375 |
Davis-Googe, Thenoa | Chief Operating Officer | Office Of Operations | $174,250 |
Hoffman, Jennifer | Assistant Superintendent | Office Of Academics | $170,000 |
Black-Burke, Nuchette | Chief Fam Comm Partnerships | Office Of Comm And Partnershps | $169,559 |
Bazzano, Claudio | Executive Director | Buildings And Grounds | $167,519 |
Colman, Maureen | Executive Director | Office Of Finance | $164,387 |
Espinosa, Matthew | Principal | Bulkeley HS | $162,154 |
Goldstein, Julie | Principal | Htfd Magnet Trinity Coll Acad | $162,154 |
Maziarz, Michael | Principal | Pathways To Technology Magnet | $162,154 |
Niles, Tory | Executive Director | Office Of School Improvement | $162,154 |
O’Brien, Kenneth | Principal | Kinsella Magnet Sch Perf Arts | $162,154 |
Sullivan, Bethany | Principal | Classical Magnet School | $162,154 |
Ferguson, Kitsia | Principal | Capital Prep Magnet School | $159,758 |
Barney, Corinne | Executive Director | Office Of School Improvement | $156,134 |
Felder, Chaka | Executive Director | Office Of Academics | $156,134 |
Inga, Sandra | Executive Director | Office Of School Improvement | $156,134 |
Quinones, Monica | Executive Director | Office Of School Improvement | $156,134 |
Leonard, Katherine | Executive Director | Office Of Academics | $156,036 |
Tomany, Sean | Principal | Univ High Of Science And Engin | $155,917 |
Burt, Yolanda | Director (12 Mo) | Food Service | $154,561 |
Avicolli, Tracy | Director | Office Of Academics | $150,111 |
Carullo, Mario | Director | Office Of Academics | $150,111 |
Casey, Paul | Principal | Global Communications Acad Ib | $150,111 |
Crawford, Doreen | Principal | M L King Jr School | $150,111 |
Cristofaro, Victor | Principal | Burns Latino Studies Academy | $150,111 |
Cristofaro, Mary | Director | Special Education | $150,111 |
Davila, Anthony | Principal | Bellizzi School | $150,111 |
Gordon, Zandralyn | Director | Adult Education | $150,111 |
Havrda, Carolyn | Principal | Montessori Magnet At Batcheldr | $150,111 |
Heredia, Gerardo | Principal Special Assignment | Office Of School Improvement | $150,111 |
Jacobson, Edward | Principal | Webster Microsociety Magnet | $150,111 |
Mccarthy, Christine | Principal | Moylan Expeditionary Lrng Acad | $150,111 |
Mendez, Lida | Director | Special Education | $150,111 |
Mendoza-Overton, Evelyn | Principal | Sanchez Elementary School | $150,111 |
Padua, Oscar | Assistant Director | New Visions Program | $150,111 |
Ryan, Kesha | Principal | Wish Elementary School | $150,111 |
Thompson, Lindsey | Principal | Hooker Env Sciences Magnet Sch | $150,111 |
Torres, Daisy | Director | Office Of Academics | $150,111 |
Tremblay Jackson, Joanne | Director | Special Education | $150,111 |
Ward, Alison | Director | Special Education | $150,111 |
Watson, Leanardo | Principal | Milner School | $150,111 |
Geissler, Kevin | Principal | Md Fox Elementary School | $149,710 |
Giuliano, Alison | Principal | Sport And Medical Sciences Acd | $148,616 |
Even, Pamela | Director | Special Education | $148,217 |
Cahill, June | Principal | Kennelly Elementary School | $147,283 |
Novo-Macdonald, Vivian | Principal | Montessori Magnet At Fisher | $147,283 |
Massaro, Lisa | Principal | Breakthrough Magnt Schl North | $146,948 |
Nieves, Connie | Executive Director | Off Talent Mgmt Labr Relations | $145,000 |
Ali, Joanna | Director | Office Of Academics | $144,831 |
Rivera, Nelson | Director | Psychological Services | $144,831 |
Fitzgerald, Jessica | Principal | Great Path Academy | $144,609 |
Padro, Flora | Principal | Hartford Public HS | $144,609 |
Webley, Tiffany | Principal | Weaver HS | $144,609 |
Patel, Darpan | Principal | Betances Early Reading Lab | $144,330 |
Brooks, Anthony | Principal | Betances Stem Magnet | $143,962 |
Gustafson, Holly | Principal | Breakthrough Magnt Schl South | $142,229 |
Martinez, Amanda | Principal | Burr Middle School | $142,229 |
Rice, Marjorie | Principal | Mcdonough Middle School | $142,229 |
Scherer, Joshua | Principal | West Middle Elementary School | $141,789 |
Sugarman, Jesse | Executive Director | Office Comm & Public Policy | $138,375 |
Duzy, Elizabeth | Director | Special Education | $137,910 |
Cassello, Ashley | Director | Special Education | $137,887 |
Davis, Teresa | Director | Special Education | $137,887 |
Mccoy, Courtney | Principal | Sand School | $137,289 |
Edgerson, Annika | Principal | Rawson Elementary School | $136,920 |
Ettson, Alesia | Principal | Naylor Elementary | $136,920 |
Machial, Esmeralda | Acting/interim Principal | Parkville Community School | $136,920 |
Gaglioti, Elaine | Director (12 Mo) | Food Service | $135,285 |
Chambers, William | Asst Principal | Classical Magnet School | $134,789 |
Corbett, Maribel | Asst Principal | Burns Latino Studies Academy | $134,789 |
Diaz-Valencia, Vanessa | Assistant Director | Office Of Academics | $134,789 |
Fulcher-McCown, Cleondra | Asst Principal | Montessori Magnet At Batcheldr | $134,789 |
Gaffney, Matthew | Asst Principal | Breakthrough Magnt Schl South | $134,789 |
Galiatsatos, Gabrielle | Asst Principal | Betances Stem Magnet | $134,789 |
Griffin, Karin | Asst Principal | Sport And Medical Sciences Acd | $134,789 |
Jones, Nicole | Asst Principal | Global Communications Acad Ib | $134,789 |
Kopf, Joseph | Asst Principal | Kinsella Magnet Sch Perf Arts | $134,789 |
Lafreniere, Brooke | Asst Principal | Bulkeley HS | $134,789 |
Mann, Jacqueline | Assistant Director | Adult Education | $134,789 |
Morrocco, Marcie | Asst Principal | Rawson Elementary School | $134,789 |
Nolan, Justin | Asst Principal | Bulkeley HS | $134,789 |
Robles, Johanna | Assistant Director | Office Of Academics | $134,789 |
Saperstein, Tracy | Asst Principal | Kinsella Magnet Sch Perf Arts | $134,789 |
Schulman, Marc | Asst Principal | Kennelly Elementary School | $134,789 |
Scott, Judith | Asst Principal | Bellizzi School | $134,789 |
Sullivan, Neil | Asst Principal | Great Path Academy | $134,789 |
Thomas, Melissa | Asst Principal | Htfd Magnet Trinity Coll Acad | $134,789 |
Williams, Deotis | Asst Principal | Capital Prep Magnet School | $134,789 |
Schmidt, Heidi | Director | Athletics Department | $133,303 |
Davern, Lauren | Asst Principal | Capital Prep Magnet School | $132,550 |
Eller, Gina | Asst Principal | Burr Middle School | $132,533 |
Wilson, Erin | Principal | Fisher Stem Magnet School | $131,342 |
Chameides, Deborah | Director (12 Mo) | Health Services | $131,300 |
Difedele-Ddutton, Anastasia | Assistant Director | Professional Learning | $131,148 |
Kellogg, Michelle | Assistant Director | Office Of Academics | $131,148 |
Mafe, Candace | Assistant Director | Climate/culture Pbis | $131,148 |
Kennedy, Nicola | Dentist | Health Services | $129,712 |
Ballestas-Cuevas, Liliana | Assistant Director | Office Of Academics | $128,694 |
Palmieri, Suzanne | Assistant Director | Office Of Academics | $128,694 |
Rivera, Erika | Assistant Director | Special Education | $128,694 |
Cobb, Thessalonia | Asst Principal | Moylan Expeditionary Lrng Acad | $128,548 |
Meyer, Travis | Asst Principal | Weaver HS | $128,548 |
Tomkowit, Richard | Asst Principal | Wish Elementary School | $128,548 |
Woodard, Thomas | Asst Principal | Burr Middle School | $128,548 |
Cavicchi, Kathryn | Asst Principal | West Middle Elementary School | $128,547 |
Conroy, William | Asst Principal | Mcdonough Middle School | $128,547 |
Harding, Jasmin | Asst Principal | Milner School | $128,547 |
Himelberger, Jeremy | Asst Principal | Hartford Public HS | $128,547 |
Hutchins, Everette | Asst Principal | Capital Prep Magnet School | $128,547 |
Laracuente, Diana | Asst Principal | Weaver HS | $128,547 |
Minich, Lore | Asst Principal | Hartford Pk Magnt North-global | $128,547 |
Rietze, Irene | Asst Principal | Office Of School Improvement | $128,547 |
Sierra-Re, Mary | Acting Asst Principal | Renzulli Academy | $128,547 |
Smith, Corinne | Asst Principal | Webster Microsociety Magnet | $128,547 |
Tyson, Rashaunda | Asst Principal | Univ High Of Science And Engin | $128,547 |
Vallera, Mary | Asst Principal | Betances Early Reading Lab | $128,547 |
Visintainer, Jaclyn | Asst Principal | Breakthrough Magnt Schl North | $128,547 |
White, Marissa | Asst Principal | Md Fox Elementary School | $128,547 |
Olinger Quint, Abby | Director (12 Mo) | Office Data & Accountability | $128,256 |
Majka, Konrad | It Directors | Mhis | $128,256 |
Garcia, Guillermo | Systems & Data Manager | Off Talent Mgmt Labr Relations | $128,038 |
Mann, Cheyenne | Assistant Director | Special Education | $126,359 |
Sepe, Lisa | Assistant Director | Office Of Academics | $126,359 |
Pippin, Mary | Director (12 Mo) | Mhis | $126,250 |
Ross-lee, Carolyn | Director | Regional School Choice Office | $125,460 |
Aragon, Diana | Asst Principal | Kennelly Elementary School | $124,342 |
Cecilia, Laura | Asst Principal | Naylor Elementary | $124,342 |
Frasier, Monique | Asst Principal | Bulkeley HS | $124,342 |
Hall, Joshua | Asst Principal | Weaver HS | $124,342 |
Loomis, Lisa | Asst Principal | Kinsella Magnet Sch Perf Arts | $124,342 |
Rivera, Melissa | Asst Principal | Bellizzi School | $124,342 |
Taylor, Keith | Asst Principal | Htfd Magnet Trinity Coll Acad | $124,342 |
Zanghi, Jessica | Asst Principal | Sanchez Elementary School | $124,342 |
Boratko, Angela | Asst Principal | Fisher Stem Magnet School | $124,342 |
Buder, Charles | Asst Principal | Bulkeley HS | $124,342 |
Davidson, Irma | Asst Principal | Md Fox Elementary School | $124,342 |
Sharp, Heather | Asst Principal | Pathways To Technology Magnet | $124,342 |
Taylor, Justin | Asst Principal | Hartford Public HS | $124,342 |
Williams, Marc | Director (12 Mo) | Office Of Finance | $124,202 |
Jacobs, Katelin | Asst Principal | Sand School | $123,952 |
Bexley, Caitlin | Asst Principal | Mcdonough Middle School | $120,339 |
Bonillo, Joseph | Asst Principal | Sport And Medical Sciences Acd | $120,339 |
Borofsky, Alicia | Asst Principal | Montessori Magnet At Fisher | $120,339 |
Bosco, Jessica | Asst Principal | Hooker Env Sciences Magnet Sch | $120,339 |
Capozziello, Elvonni | Asst Principal | Milner School | $120,339 |
Minga, Elvis | Asst Principal | Hartford Public HS | $120,339 |
Mullings, Danielle | Asst Principal | M L King Jr School | $120,339 |
Rizzo, Jennifer | Asst Principal | Hartford Public HS | $120,339 |
McCarthy, Holly | Manager (12 Mo) | Office Of Finance | $119,180 |
Diaz, Charlene | Assistant Director | Office Of Finance | $117,875 |
Fagan, Judith | Director (12 Mo) | Welcome Center | $117,036 |
Welcome, Thomas | Director (12 Mo) | Buildings And Grounds | $114,182 |
Pallas, Kayla | Assistant Director | Regional School Choice Office | $113,960 |
Roberts, Daryl | Director (12 Mo) | Security | $113,487 |
Bergenholtz, Peter | Director (12 Mo) | Security | $113,487 |
Ibarrola, Brunella | Coordinator | Food Service | $112,043 |
Shaheen, Kerry | Coordinator | Special Education | $111,247 |
Dunaway, Wanda | Director Food Service (12 Mo) | Food Service | $109,942 |
Figueroa, Joel | Manager (12 Mo) | Mhis | $109,942 |
Huyghebaert, John | Manager | Office Of Finance | $108,052 |
Mitchell, Tamara | Assistant Director | Office Of Comm And Partnershps | $103,335 |
Adebowale, Oluwakayode | Teacher Science | Global Communications Acad Ib | $103,034 |
Aldridge-West, Sasha | Teacher Math | M L King Jr School | $103,034 |
Alexandru, Adina | Teacher World Lang | Univ High Of Science And Engin | $103,034 |
Allison, Bridget | Teacher Social Studies | Hartford Public HS | $103,034 |
Andrade, Bryndis | School Psychologist | Psychological Services | $103,034 |
Aquino, Cesar | Teacher Tesol | Bulkeley HS | $103,034 |
Blythe, Paulette | Teacher Tesol | Milner School | $103,034 |
Chambers, Jo-ann | Teacher Health | Great Path Academy | $103,034 |
Champagney, Catherine | Teacher Spec Ed | Wish Elementary School | $103,034 |
Chao, Kathleen | Teacher Tesol | Rawson Elementary School | $103,034 |
Coachman-Francis, Yvonne | Teacher Elem Grades 1-6 | Wish Elementary School | $103,034 |
Coco, William | Teacher Computer Ed | Burns Latino Studies Academy | $103,034 |
Coleman, Joan | Teacher Math | Weaver HS | $103,034 |
Colon-Ortiz, Nilsa | School Psychologist | Sanchez Elementary School | $103,034 |
Cooke, Sheri | Teacher Elem Grades 1-6 | Webster Microsociety Magnet | $103,034 |
Crespo-Jimenez, Mellie | Tchr Bilingual/bil Resource | Hartford Public HS | $103,034 |
Dreyfus, Colleen | School Psychologist | Special Education | $103,034 |
Fournier, Anne | Teacher Elem Combo 1-6 | Breakthrough Magnt Schl North | $103,034 |
Fromerth, Michael | Teacher Science | Univ High Of Science And Engin | $103,034 |
Galarza, Teresita | Teacher Tesol | Betances Early Reading Lab | $103,034 |
Galotti, Joseph | Teacher English | Sport And Medical Sciences Acd | $103,034 |
Greenidge, Nini | Teacher Spec Ed | Milner School | $103,034 |
Hoberman, Jeffrey | Teacher Social Studies | Classical Magnet School | $103,034 |
Kaluzny-Blaszczyk, Renata | Teacher Science | Classical Magnet School | $103,034 |
Kutcher, Marta | School Psychologist | Hartford Public HS | $103,034 |
Lafave, Norman | Teacher Science | Bulkeley HS | $103,034 |
Libert, Rodney | Teacher Spec Ed | Htfd Magnet Trinity Coll Acad | $103,034 |
McBryde-Silva, Ena | Teacher Elem Grades 1-6 | Capital Prep Magnet School | $103,034 |
McCrory, Martina | Teacher Science | Htfd Magnet Trinity Coll Acad | $103,034 |
Minaya, Ralph | Teacher Math | Weaver HS | $103,034 |
Navedo, Hector | Teacher Music | Kinsella Magnet High School | $103,034 |
Oliveira, Emilia | Teacher Spec Ed | Mcdonough Middle School | $103,034 |
Oporto-Brown, Nancy | Social Worker | Special Education | $103,034 |
Ortiz-Longo, Carlos | School Psychologist | Md Fox Elementary School | $103,034 |
Papas, Elaine | Teacher Elem Grades 1-6 | Sand School | $103,034 |
Pereplyotchik, Jessica | School Psychologist | Psychological Services | $103,034 |
Reyes, Norma | Teacher Spec Ed | Hartford Public HS | $103,034 |
Richardson, Coronica | Teacher Elem Grades 1-6 | Burns Latino Studies Academy | $103,034 |
Rivers, Sean | School Psychologist | Kinsella Magnet Sch Perf Arts | $103,034 |
Sirman, Russell | Teacher Social Studies | Classical Magnet School | $103,034 |
Smith, Kathryn | Social Worker | Rawson Elementary School | $103,034 |
Sousa-Pena, Mario | Teacher Science | Univ High Of Science And Engin | $103,034 |
Taylor, Mark | Teacher Spec Ed | Sand School | $103,034 |
Vallera, Patricia | Teacher Spec Ed | Bulkeley HS | $103,034 |
Stimpson, Rachael | Manager | Office Of School Improvement | $102,500 |
Bell, Michael | Active Directory Admin | Mhis | $101,985 |
Ramos, Milagros | Manager | Office Of Labor & Legal | $101,145 |
Humphrey, Kevin | Data Center Engineer | Mhis | $101,096 |
Aldave, Mirtha | Tchr Bilingual/bil Resource | Hartford Public HS | $101,058 |
Andrews, Janice | Teacher Elem Grades 1-6 | Htfd Magnet Trinity Coll Acad | $101,058 |
Brown, Wallace | Teacher Elem Grades 1-6 | Naylor Elementary | $101,058 |
Campbell, Donna-marie | Teacher Elem Grades 1-6 | Wish Elementary School | $101,058 |
Clemens, Julie Ann | Teacher Elem Grades 1-6 | Md Fox Elementary School | $101,058 |
Clermont, Carolann | School Counselor | Htfd Magnet Trinity Coll Acad | $101,058 |
Cohn, Susan | Lang Speech Hrng Pathologist | Htfd Magnet Trinity Coll Acad | $101,058 |
Cyr, Daphne | Teacher Special Ed Pre-k | Special Education | $101,058 |
Flaherty, Eileen | Teacher English | Htfd Magnet Trinity Coll Acad | $101,058 |
Francis, Elise | Teacher Intervention | Moylan Expeditionary Lrng Acad | $101,058 |
Giannini, Frank | Teacher Math | Hartford Public HS | $101,058 |
Grande, John | Teacher Phys Ed | Moylan Expeditionary Lrng Acad | $101,058 |
Hickey, Lori Ann | Teacher Kindergarten | Kinsella Magnet Sch Perf Arts | $101,058 |
Joseph, Pierre | Teacher Social Studies | Htfd Magnet Trinity Coll Acad | $101,058 |
Levy, Marcia | School Psychologist | Psychological Services | $101,058 |
McHugh, Geraldine | Social Worker | Milner School | $101,058 |
O’Connor, Elaine | School Psychologist | Psychological Services | $101,058 |
Senteio, Charlene | School Counselor | Milner School | $101,058 |
Stewart-Karsmarski, Deborah | Teacher Spec Ed | Bulkeley HS | $101,058 |
Sullivan, Joan | Teacher Spec Ed | Wish Elementary School | $101,058 |
Thomas, Cheryl | Teacher Social Studies | Htfd Magnet Trinity Coll Acad | $101,058 |
Grant, David | Special Asst To Deputy Supt | Office- Deputy Superintendent | $100,000 |
Skrobak, Julia | Assistant Director | Office Comm & Public Policy | $100,000 |
