(DAYTON) "The State Board of Education has selected Dr. Susan
Zelman, Missouri’s Deputy Commissioner of Education, to serve as Ohio’s next
Superintendent of Public Instruction. Zelman will formally take office in March.
State Board of Education member Diana M. Fessler voted against hiring Zelman at
$135,000 based upon her lack of experience as a superintendent and the excessive
compensation package being offered by the board. Zelman’s previous position paid
$87,612.
"A reasonable increase in salary is certainly appropriate," allowed Fessler,
"but a nearly 54% salary increase, plus an incentive of $15,000 means that she will
be making $150,000 a year -- an unwarranted 77% increase. Civil servants are just that,
our servants; they shouldn’t expect wages commensurate with those paid by business
and industry."
Just last week state lawmakers voted on an amendment to remove an existing $160,000 cap
on the superintendent’s salary.
When asked what prompted the state board to request that change in legislation, Fessler
replied, "The board didn’t debate the issue and no vote was ever taken on it.
Some board members think the superintendent’s salary must be pushed up if we are to
attract better candidates. If that were true then we would increase the governor’s
salary; it’s currently set at $115.762. Evidently, the era of doing more with less is
coming to a close."
Expressing concern for Zelman’s longevity as superintendent, Fessler said,
"It is my opinion that that removing the salary cap was not for the benefit of
Zelman; it is possible that positioning for the next search is already underway. I say
that because a jump in salary from $87,000 to $160,000+ makes no sense."
Fessler says that even though she did not vote for Zelman she will support her.
Acknowledging Zelman’s strengths, Fessler said, "Dr. Zelman has outstanding
public relation skills; she is energetic, intelligent, and very charming. I wish her
well."