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WESTPORT, Conn. – Earning more than $285,000 in 2011 makes Westport Superintendent Elliott Landon the top earner among both Board of Education and municipal employees, according to data released this week.
Landon’s salary tops that of Assistant Superintendent for Business Nancy Harris, the No. 2 overall earner last year, by $80,000. And, he raked in more than $121,000 than police Officer Howard Simpson, the top earner on the town side.
On the education side, Harris, who earned more than $204,000 in 2011, is followed by Cynthia Gilchrest, director of pupil services and elementary education, who brought home almost $165,000. Bedford Middle School Principal Melissa Paolini-Kay comes in next, earning $156,863.
Fifth on the list is Staples High School Principal John Dodig, at more than $155,000. Kings Highway Elementary Principal Susie Da Silva, who joined the district in 2010, follows Dodig with more than $153,000.
Of the town’s top 50 municipal earners, 47 are police officers and firefighters. But their total wages are a combination of base salary, overtime and in some cases, contracted work on the side, which is not paid by the town.
Simpson, a field training officer with the police department, for example, earned a total of $163,633 last year. His base salary, however, is just over $77,000. Simpson is followed by Officer Anthony Falbo Jr., who earned $158,708, with a base salary of $74,278, and $65, 498 in outside work.
Former Finance Director John Kondub, who retired effective this month, is No. 5 on the town side, having earned a total of $139,128. His base salary was $119,042. Fire Marshal Edward Zygmant comes in at No. 10 with $131,481, with a base salary of $118,605. Police Chief Dale Call also earned a total of $131,481, with a base salary of $120,067.
Fire Chief Andrew Kingsbury comes in after Call, having earned $130,742. His base salary was $117,815. Public Works Director Stephen Edwards places No. 16 with $129,492. His base salary was $128,274
The top 10 earners, between the Board of Education employees and municipal employees, are as follows:
1. Elliott Landon, superintendent: $285,077
2. Nancy Harris, assistant superintendent: $204,330
3. Cynthia Gilchrest, director of pupil services and elementary education: $164,823
4. Howard Simpson, police field training officer: $163,633
5. Anthony Falbo Jr., police officer: $158,708
6. Melissa Paolini-Kay, principal at Bedford Middle School: $156,863
7. John Dodig, principal at Staples High School: $155,599
8. Susie Da Silva, principal at Kings Highway: $153, 678
9. Lisbeth Comm, director of secondary education, research and professional development: $153,549
10. Natalie Carrignan, director of technology for Westport Public Schools: $152,678
To view the Board of Education's top 50 wage earners, click here. To view the top 50 municipal wages, click here.
