West Hartford Superintendent's Pay Is Above State Average

West Hartford Superintendent of Schools Dr. Karen List is slated to take home a total compensation package of $230,000 during the 2012-13 school year, an average of $22.81 per student in the school district, according to an analysis of the contracts of 148 superintendents compiled by Journal Register Co. newspapers in the state.

While the average annual pay for a school superintendent in Connecticut is $166,000, many school leaders make more than that, the report states.

List's compensation package, which includes a tax-sheltered annuity, ranks her as the 14th highest paid superintendent in Connecticut. However, on a per student basis, List is the 15th lowest paid superintendent in the state.

According to the report, a total of 27 superintendents earn more than $200,000 annually, and many also command enviable perks and bonuses, including compensation for unused sick time, meal allowances, and travel pay.

Westport's Elliot Landon takes home the most pay, at $285,077 ($49.93 per student), followed by Wilton superintendent Gary Richards at $267,587 ($61.12 per student) and Fairfield superintendent David Title at $264,500 ($26.57 per student).

Although Hartford Superintendent Christina Kishimoto earns $241,000, she is the lowest paid on a per student basis ($11.16).

The highest ratios of superintendent pay to students in the district fall in the smaller districts, topped by Eastford's Linda Loretz, who will earn $672.48 per student ($124,409). There are 2,398 students in the North Branford Public Schools, according to the Journal-Register Co.'s tabulations.

List's current contract runs from July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2015. To view a PDF of List's contract, click here.