Living in LoCo
School Board Renews Hatrick's Contract
Erica Garman at 2:34 p.m., June 15, 2009 (23 comments)
As most of us are counting down the last few days of school until summer vacation (that would be five!), the school board is thinking more long term.
Loudoun Schools Superintendent Edgar B. Hatrick (Photo provided by Loudoun County Public Schools)
Board members agreed Thursday to renew Edgar B. Hatrick's employment for another four years beginning July 1, 2010. Terms of the new contract, said Loudoun County Public School 's spokesman Wayde Byard will be negotiated in the next few months.
Until this new contract kicks in, Hatrick's salary will be frozen-- as are the salaries of every other LCPS employee-- as budget restraints choke the growing school system.
Hatrick's compensation for the 2009-2010 school year, as set by the school board, includes a $232,680 annual salary; $15,000 toward a tax-deferred annuity; a $10,000 conversion from a disability income policy to a tax-deferred annuity on Jan. 1, 2010; a $5,000 annual contribution to a life insurance policy; and, an annual car allowance of $11,378.80 (which has gone up 4 percent from the 2008-2009 school year, say school officials, per the terms of Hatrick's contract).
That's a far cry from the $87,000 Hatrick was paid during his 1991-1992 inaugural year as superintendent.
But among other superintendents in the D.C. metro area, Hatrick sits in the shallow end of the compensation pool when compared to many of his peers. In the 2007-2008 school year, his salary (not including other benefits) was $226,563; Fairfax's superintendent Jack D. Dale earned a $279,340 salary; and Prince William's Steven Watts made $239,293. (Check out this Jan. 2008 Washington Post comparison of area superintendents' compensation.)
According to the American Association of School Administrators Web site, the mean average salary reported for a school system serving more than 25,000 students is $211,867. During Dr. Hatrick’s tenure, the LCPS student population has grown from 15,118 to 57,438 as of last month.
Hatrick's had a tricky year, no doubt. The 18-year veteran superintendent weathered a contentious school budget battle, criticism of his frequent work travels, a growing discontent over the school boundary process, and even a call to resign from the local NAACP chapter.
On the up side, all eight eligible LCPS high schools were recently ranked in the top 6 percent of American high schools by Newsweek magazine's Challenge Index. And a study released last week by Education Week ranked Loudoun County's high school graduation rate as one of the highest in the Washington metro area.
How would you rate Hatrick's performance this year? If you were in charge of his annual review, what would you list as his accomplishments and areas that need improving?
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Your Thoughts...
Are you happy that the school year is over?
Comments:
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Where is Obama when you need him. I bet he would stop those high salaries in the private sector. Oh this is a public position! Stop it now, and lower my taxes!
Posted by Funnyguyva (anonymous) on June 15, 2009 at 2:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't begrudge him his salary. It takes much hard work & effort to attain a Ph.D. However, what does he drive for almost $1000 / month?? The dude does NOT know how to cut back on expenses!!
Posted by ms1234 (anonymous) on June 15, 2009 at 3:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You would think for all that loot he could afford a better tie :-)
Posted by LoudounModerate (anonymous) on June 15, 2009 at 4:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am happy with the job Dr. Hatrick is doing. I don't wish to lower his salary, I only wish we could increase the teachers' salaries - by tens of thousands of dollars. It would be great if we could attract more teachers with higher degrees, and keep them in the county until they retire.
Posted by Triciah (anonymous) on June 15, 2009 at 9:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I want to see his freebie vacations stop. No more 2, 3, or more week jaunts where he gives one speech and the whole thing is paid for on OUR dime. Its a crime. He can give up that company car and free gasoline too. Since a lot of older teachers are losing health benefits, he can at least give up something.
Posted by GenuineRisk (anonymous) on June 15, 2009 at 11:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
He gets a car allowance, plus a county car to use at will, plus he gets reimbursed for use of his personal car. That's triple dipping.
Now let's investigate the fact that a lot of no-bid school board construction contracts seem to go to people who are rather "close" to Hatrick...
Posted by AngelaB44 (anonymous) on June 16, 2009 at 8:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Some of the school districts in upstate New York are extremely small. I worked at one that only had 1,000 students and their superintendant made $130,000 11 years ago. This man is managing almost 50,000 children alone. I'm not a fan but he's getting paid peanuts by comparison.
Posted by chelsivia (anonymous) on June 16, 2009 at 11:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
As my last kid graduates from our excellent school system, I say thanks and Kudos to Dr Hatrick. He's done great work and has to put up with a lot of bitterness and silliness.
Posted by JkR- (anonymous) on June 16, 2009 at 4:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
How can that be "triple dipping"? He can only drive one car at a time.
Posted by kmccorma (anonymous) on June 16, 2009 at 4:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Compared to most CEO's, his salary is actually quite low and given a 50,000 student population to deal with. I too think he has done a great job. Knowing Loudoun is in the top 6% of all high schools in the US is great to have on your side when your kid is apply to college.
Posted by vanzal1 (anonymous) on June 16, 2009 at 5:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Dr. Hatrick is not "triple dipping" - not even double dipping! According to public documents, Dr Hatrick receives a "Car Allowance" of $10,950 per year. He does NOT have (or drive) a county-owned car. He used his OWN car and does NOT get reimbursed for ANY expenses - such as gas, mileage, insurance, repair, tolls, etc... All expenses are to be taken from that annual allowance. He drives his own car, and if that car dies, he buys a new one himself, just like the rest of us. He does have the monthly car allowance, as he travels all over Loudoun County, the metro-area, and the whole state of Virginia. Fairfax County provides their Superintendent with a car, and Prince William allocates a higher car allowance - both PW and FFX counties also offer higher salaries. Dr. Hatrick is doing an excellent job and I hope we are able to keep him here for a long time.
Posted by Triciah (anonymous) on June 16, 2009 at 5:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Well said, Triciah and vanzal1! Dr Hatrick has provided the leadership and vision to bring LCPS to the outstanding school system it is today. Why does he travel? To stay up to date with education in the state and country, not just Loudoun County. He has dedicated his career to our school system. I am glad we have him and appreciate the results of his leadership - a top ranked school system.
Posted by momof2 (anonymous) on June 16, 2009 at 6:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Triciah, thanks for setting the record straight, but don't expect it to last. The recent LCPS bashing doesn't deal with facts it only deals in hate. For example, they are still harping about the "extraordinary" travel expenses. That myth was busted during the last round of public discussion. Most all of the travel expenses are picked up by the sponsoring conference. He's a very popular speaker well respected for his accomplishments. People want to hear the Loudoun success story and they are willing to fund his attendance.
.
With that said, I am sure we'll hear the same cries about vehicle allowances and travel expenses next time around. Facts don't provide insulation in this environment.
Posted by maravetz (anonymous) on June 16, 2009 at 10:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
For those who think Hatrick is so wonderful, you either work for him (and are in no danger of any type of cutbacks, unlike our hard working teachers who get shafted at every turn), or you haven't been around long enough to know details. BTW, I just read an article where the FBI is now investigating the Loudoun School District and how it purchases land for schools and sets building contracts. Tsk, tsk.
Posted by GenuineRisk (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 2:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The FBI is investigating. We do not know the results of the investigation. It is premature to assume there is guilt on the part of the school system. Hopefully the truth will come out.
No, I do not work for the school system.
Posted by momof2 (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 2:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
At 10K a year for his own car---we still provided him with a car. I used to make enough in dry-cleaning allowances with a former employer to buy whole suits. Same thing.
Posted by Bulletproof (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 4:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I do not work for the school system. I currently have 4 children attending LCPS. We have had children in LCPS for the last 7 years. My only interest is in making LCPS the best it can possibly be...both for my own children, and for the children who will one day soon be my doctors, lawyers, local workers, public servants, world leaders, etc...
Posted by Triciah (anonymous) on June 17, 2009 at 4:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
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