Exclusive: Philly School CEO¿s Contract
Fox 29 has obtained the contract of Philadelphia schools CEO Dr. Arlene Ackerman, including the terms of her controversial bonus and other pay that could reach $500,000 next year.
On Monday Fox 29 Investigates revealed that Ackerman has received $65,000 in performance compensation. Fox 29 obtained Ackerman's contract during our reporting this week and we are posting it here.
At that time, we contacted Ackerman and received no comment.
The bonus is part of a contract which she inked with the School Reform Commission in 2008 when she began working in the city. That contract expires in 2011.
The SRC says Ackerman exceeded all 21 performance benchmarks resulting in her bonus.
Fox 29 attempted to obtain those benchmarks but we were told they were confidential. The school district did provide a list of her accomplishments.
Ackerman's contract also calls for a base salary of $325,000 with pay increases, 34 days of paid vacation, a car and a $100,000 dollar retention bonus if she remains with the school district through June 30, 2011.
All told, Ackerman could receive $494,333 in her final contract year of 2010-2011.
In addition, Ackerman can work as a consultant for another employer for 30 days each year, as long as that consulting gig doesn’t include work related to the school district.
We've also compared Ackerman's salaries to the superintendents of New York, Chicago and Los Angeles. All of them earn less than what the SRC pays Arlene Ackerman. None of these superintendents receive performance compensation.
In fact, the head of LA schools voluntarily took a $20,000 cut in pay. His contract is also posted here.
Robert Archie, the head of the School Reform Commission, released a statement saying Ackerman went though an extensive evaluation process and exceeded all 21 benchmarks.
“Dr, Ackerman went through an extensive evaluation process and exceeded all 21 benchmarks,” he said. “She has committed one percent of her bonus to student scholarships in addition to a $1,000 contribution to the Widener School for severely disabled children. Mr. Archie also stated that Dr. Ackerman’s compensation package, including the bonus, is in-line with her predecessor, former CEO, Paul Vallas. Chairman Archie stated that the Commission is pleased with her performance and hopes that she will stay another ten years.”
However, according to a Philadelphia Inquirer report from 2008 , Vallas was paid a base salary of $275,000 in his final year in Philadelphia.
Vallas collected various bonuses and compensation in his final year that came to more than $500,000.
In addition, if the SRC terminates Ackerman without cause, she is entitled to two years’ compensation as payment.
She is also entitled to one full year of sick leave at 100 percent of her pay.