Murphy ends salary caps on school superintendent salaries

TRENTON — Gov. Phil Murphy has signed legislation that ends the cap on school superintendent salaries in New Jersey.

The Democratic governor signed the measure Friday. It bars the state Department of Education from setting maximum salaries for superintendents and sets guidelines for school executive contracts to limit or standardize bonuses, golden parachutes and other fringe benefits.

Former Republican Gov. Chris Christie had implemented a $175,000 cap on superintendents in 2011, citing what he called high salaries and generous perks in superintendent contracts. Several high-profile superintendents soon resigned their posts rather than accept a pay cut.

The cap was raised to $191,584 in 2017, with incentives to earn more if school chiefs stay in the same district.

In 2017, New Jersey 101.5 reported that many superintendents were getting around the salary cap through bonuses and "allowances." One superintendent got more than $43,000 in allowances.

(Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

More From WOBM: