I believe it is undemocratic to limit superintendent compensation packages. Yesterday, I, along with the other public school superintendents in [New Jersey], received a directive from the state Department of Education to send a copy of my employment contract to the state for review. The directive indicated that "the results of this review will be utilized to revise the standards for review of contracts in the future."

I realize that this review is being prompted by perceived excesses in the contracts of several superintendents throughout the state. But I find it disturbing nonetheless. Superintendent contracts are being singled out because superintendents as a group have limited political power and thus are easy targets. Those in power can "review" and alter superintendent contracts without fearing any meaningful retribution. What are the superintendents going to do, cry "injustice"? We have been painted in the media as indulged fat cats. So the powers that be can accrue some political capital by publicly chastising us.

…Compare the amount of taxpayer dollars that conceivably could be gleaned from "revising" the 612 superintendent contracts in the state with the amount of money that could be accrued from a similar revision of the contracts of tens of thousands of teachers. The comparison is not even close. A school superintendent's job is challenging, and superintendents are paid what the market will bear. In other words, if a locality believes that the "going rate" for a superintendent is too high, why doesn't the locality simply hire an individual who will take the job for half the going rate?

The answer is that localities realize the importance of having a knowledgeable professional who will assume the ultimate responsibility for the proper education of their children. It is an awesome responsibility (arguably the most important responsibility in a community) and, in an effort to save some money, appointing an individual willing to take a cut-rate price is understandably troubling to boards of education. In the same way that our country does not limit what a doctor, lawyer or other professional can charge for services, I believe it is undemocratic to limit superintendent compensation packages.

…I believe it is unfair and un-American to establish contract standards that limit free-market bargaining simply because public school superintendents are easy targets ripe for political point-making.

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Patrick W. Martin is Ringwood (NJ) Schools superintendent.