Schools

Report Names RVC Superintendent as Highest Paid in US

William Johnson was paid $567,248 during the 2011-12 school year, according to reports.

A report from Fox Business last week says that Rockville Centre School District Superintendent Dr. William Johnson is "likely the highest paid school superintendent in the country."

The report, published less than 24 hours after residents passed a $45.9 million school improvement bond, discusses increasing school costs based on rising "pay packages" and the effect they are having on taxpayers.

According to a separate report from the Empire Center for New York State Policy, Johnson was paid $567,248 during the 2011-12 school, the highest salary of any school employee in New York State.

Find out what's happening in Rockville Centrewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The next closest employee to Johnson is Syosset Superintendent Carole Hankin at $506,015. After Johnson and Hankin, the top pay declines significantly to $418,217.

Johnson, who was hired with the district back in December of 1979, has a salary that also "includes access to a lump sum 'bonus,'" according to the Empire Center.

Find out what's happening in Rockville Centrewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Fox Business reports:

What increased Johnson’s pay package? A veteran of more than two and a half decades, he got a crack at $300,000 in retirement pay, but opted to work for four years without pay raises, according to reports.

In Rockville Centre, Johnson oversees seven schools with an approximate student base of more than 3,500.

Johnson gets paid more than the head of the biggest school district in the country. New York City Schools chancellor Dennis M. Walcott earned more than $212,600 annually to oversee 993,903 students.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here