By Steve Gunn
EAGnews.org

LINCOLN, Neb. – Last year Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman criticized the $413,000 salary paid to Omaha school Superintendent John Mackiel.

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He was right. That’s an awful big salary for a superintendent, even in a large, metropolitan school district.

Now the governor is reportedly incensed over the $1 million retirement “golden parachute”  that was recently issued to Mackiel by the Omaha school board, according to a news report published by Omaha.com.

In addition to that huge lump-sum payment, Mackiel will receive $200,000 per year from his pension and will draw money from a district-paid annuity, the news report said.

“It is disgraceful that the OPS board’s priority is funding for high salaries for administrators instead of what should be the real priority – funding for high academic standards,” the governor was quoted as saying.

Mackiel defended the payout, saying it should be considered in the context of his former responsibilities. The school board president also defended the huge retirement gift, because she believes Mackiel was the best superintendent in the state.

We have to side with Heineman on this one.

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There’s no excuse for such huge payouts to anyone in public education, particularly In this day and age, when schools are scrambling to find enough money to provide basis services for students.

School administrators across the nation have called on teachers and their unions to make financial sacrifices for the greater good, but they have no credibility when some of their own walk away with seven-figure retirement bonuses.

School boards and superintendents have a responsibility to set the example for everyone when it comes to sacrifice. They must practice what they preach if they expect employees to accept important  concessions in salary and benefits.