Snapshot of the Superintendency 2012-2013
Virginia Association of School Superintendents
September 19 - October 5, 2012
Overview
The Snapshot of the Superintendency Survey captures information about current
compensation and benefits packages, specific contract requirements and
educational status of superintendents from school districts across the
Commonwealth of Virginia.
The survey was administered on behalf of the Virginia Association of School
Superintendents (VASS). All data contained in this report are self-reported and
interpretation of results should not be generalized outside of Virginia. This report is
simply a snapshot for the 2012-2013 school year.
2
Participation Rate
One hundred thirty-three school superintendents in Virginia were emailed
invitations to participate in the survey. One hundred five completed the survey,
resulting in a 79% response rate. One incomplete response to the survey is
included in the report as appropriate.
Responding
Group
Number of
Responses
(n)
Max Possible Responses
(Nmax)
Response
Rate (%)
Superintendents
105
133
79%
3
Demographics
13%
1%
30%
70%
86%
Male
Female
African American
Hispanic
0%
Native American
Asian
0%
Multi-racial
0%
White/Caucasian
Note: One survey participant responded “Prefer Not to Answer” and was not included in the calculations above.
4
Demographics (cont.)
Average Age
54
Average Age of First Superintendency
48
Average Years Serving as a Superintendent
7
Average Years in Current Position
5
0
10
20
30
Years
40
50
60
5
Salary
To the nearest thousand, what is your 2012-13 contract salary (without fringe
benefits)?
Responses
Average salary = $137,000
Salary
6
Benefits
To the nearest thousand, what is the value of your 2012-13 non-salary benefits?
Responses
Average benefit amount = $35,000
Benefits
Note: Five survey participants did not respond to this question.
7
Retirement
In what year do you plan to retire?
2013
9%
2014
3%
2015
13%
2016 or Beyond
75%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Note: Eighteen survey participants responded “Prefer Not to Answer” and were not included in the calculations above.
8
Career Path
What career path most closely resembles yours?
4%
16%
4%
75%
Central Office Administrator --> Superintendent
Elementary Principal --> Superintendent
Middle School/High School Principal --> Superintendent
Other --> Superintendent
Note: One survey participant responded “Prefer Not to Answer” and was not included in the calculations above.
9
Education
What is your educational background? Please check the highest degree attained.
8%
5%
10%
77%
Ed.D
Ph.D/Other Doctorate
Masters
Certificate of Advanced Study
Note: One survey participant responded “Prefer Not to Answer” and was not included in the calculations above. Multiple
answers per participant possible. Percentages added may exceed 100 since a participant may select more than one answer
for this question.
10
Education (cont.)
In what discipline was your highest (or most recent) degree?
3%
2%
2%
92%
Educational Administration
Curriculum and Instruction
Content Area
Other
Note: One survey participant responded “Prefer Not to Answer” and was not included in the calculations above.
11
Region
Identify the superintendents' region in which you are located:
10%
9%
11%
12%
14%
11%
16%
15%
Region 1
Region 2
Region 3
Region 4
Region 5
Region 6
Region 7
Region 8
12
Type of Division
What type of division do you serve in now?
7%
20%
56%
18%
Rural
Suburban
Small City
Large City
13
Student Enrollment
Which of the following categories reflects your student enrollment?
5%
2% 4%
25%
13%
16%
35%
01-2000
2001 - 5000
5001 - 10,000
10,001 - 20,000
20,001 - 35,000
35,001 - 50,000
50,001 and above
14
Local Composite Index
Which best describes your division's Local Composite Index?
.20 - .349
44%
.35 - .499
36%
.50 - .599
9%
.60 - .699
4%
.70 - .80
8%
0%
20%
40%
60%
Responses Received
80%
100%
15
Previous Position
Prior to assuming your current superintendency, had you ever held a position in the
same division?
Yes, immediately prior
40%
Yes, at an earlier time
2%
No
58%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
16
Residency Requirement
Are you required by contract to live in the school division?
Yes
19%
No
81%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Note: One survey participant responded “Prefer Not to Answer” and was not included in the calculations above.
17
Relocation
Did accepting your current superintendency require you to maintain a separate
residence from your family (spouse and children) for more than 6
months?
Yes
19%
No
81%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Note: One survey participant responded “Prefer Not to Answer” and 5 survey participants responded “Not Applicable” and
were not included in the calculations above.
18
Relocation (cont.)
If you moved to your current superintendency, how many miles did you move?
Division resident
7%
100 or fewer
33%
101 - 200
29%
201 or more
30%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Note: One survey participant responded “Prefer Not to Answer” and 34 survey participants responded “Not Applicable”
and were not included in the calculations above.
19
Relocation (cont.)
From where did you move?
Within Virginia
71%
Other
21%
North Carolina
6%
Maryland
2%
West Virginia
0%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Note: Thirty-six survey participants responded “Not Applicable” and were not included in the calculations above.
20
Relocation Cost
Were your relocation costs covered?
Yes
73%
No
7%
Partially
19%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Note: Two survey participants responded “Prefer Not to Answer” and 35 survey participants responded “Not Applicable”
and were not included in the calculations above.
21
Contract Term
What is the term of your current contract?
Interim
0%
0-2 years
5%
3 years
20%
4 years
75%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Note: Two survey participants responded “Prefer Not to Answer” and were not included in the calculations above.
22
Contract Termination
Can your board terminate your contract early?
Only for just cause
57%
Only by mutual agreement (no
severance)
3%
Yes, unilaterally, but must pay a
severance
35%
My contract is silent on this
5%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Note: Five survey participants responded “Prefer Not to Answer” and were not included in the calculations above.
23
Travel Reimbursement
What is your primary method of travel reimbursement?
Division car
36%
Mileage
13%
Lump sum payment
43%
None
3%
Other
5%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Note: One survey participant responded “Prefer Not to Answer” and was not included in the calculations above.
24
Vacation Days
How many vacation days do you receive annually by contract?
10 or fewer
5%
11 - 15
16%
16 - 20
40%
21 or more
40%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
25
Vacation Days (cont.)
How many vacation days do you typically use annually?
10 or fewer
55%
11 – 15
29%
16 – 20
13%
21 or more
3%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
26
Vacation Days (cont.)
How many vacation days may you carry over into the next fiscal year?
Zero (0)
10%
20 or fewer
32%
21 - 40
30%
41 - 100
19%
No limit
10%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
27
Sick Days
How many sick days do you receive annually by contract?
10 or fewer
11%
11 to 15
69%
16 to 20
13%
21 or more
7%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Note: One survey participant responded “Prefer Not to Answer” and was not included in the calculations above.
28
Sick Days (cont.)
How many sick days may you carry over into the next fiscal year?
Zero (0)
4%
50 or fewer
14%
51 - 100
3%
101 - 150
7%
151 - 200
12%
Over 200/No limit
61%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Note: One survey participant responded “Prefer Not to Answer” and was not included in the calculations above.
29
Vacation and Sick Day Buy-Back
Does your contract provide for . . .
Vacation buy-back
Sick day buy-back
20%
No provision
26%
24%
End of each year
11%
37%
Termination of contract and/or retirement
28%
18%
Retirement only
35%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
30
Vacation and Sick Day Roll-Over
Does your contract provide for . . .
Vacation day roll-over
Sick day roll-over
18%
No provision
14%
70%
Yes, with limitation
33%
12%
Yes, all unused days
53%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
Note: One survey participant responded “Prefer Not to Answer” for “Sick day roll-over” and was not included in the
calculations above.
100%
31
Personal Days
How many personal days do you receive annually by contract?
5%
22%
13%
60%
None
1-3
4-6
7 or more
As needed 0%
32
Incentives
Does your contract provide an incentive for staying a minimum number of years?
Yes, a cash longevity bonus
1%
Yes, health insurance after retirement
3%
Yes, other benefit
2%
Combination of above
1%
No
93%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
33
Incentives (cont.)
Does your contract provide a bonus for meeting goals or objectives?
No
96%
Yes, for meeting goals and
objectives
4%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
34
Retirement Benefits
Does your contract provide for retirement benefits other than sick days or vacation
days with cash value?
Yes
40%
No
60%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
35
Incentives
Does your contract provide for graduate study tuition reimbursement?
Yes
30%
Yes, partially
12%
No
59%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
36
AASA Membership
Does your division pay your professional dues for AASA?
Yes, and I am an AASA member
93%
Yes, but I did not join
No, but I am an AASA member
5%
0%
No, and I did not join
2%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
Note: One survey participant responded “Prefer Not to Answer” and was not included in the calculations above.
100%
37
Dues and Conferences
Does your division pay . . .
100%
Your professional dues for VASS
0%
0%
78%
Your expenses for attending the AASA
Conferences
9%
13%
96%
Your expenses for attending VASS
Conferences
4%
0%
0%
Yes
20%
40%
Yes, partially
No
60%
80%
100%
Note: Three survey participants responded “Prefer Not to Answer” and were not included in the calculations above.
38
Insurance
What percentage of ____ is paid by the division?
100%
95-99%
90-94%
80-89%
Less than
80%
This
benefit is
not
provided
your individual health insurance
premium
78%
0%
6%
5%
3%
8%
your family health insurance
premium
63%
1%
3%
3%
7%
23%
your individual dental insurance
premium
66%
1%
1%
4%
6%
21%
your family dental insurance
premium
57%
1%
2%
2%
7%
31%
your term life insurance
premium
42%
2%
1%
0%
4%
51%
your whole life insurance
premium
22%
1%
0%
0%
3%
74%
Note: Four survey participants responded “Prefer Not to Answer” and were not included in the calculations above.
39
Insurance (cont.)
Will the division pay for your health insurance premium after retirement?
Yes, for me and my spouse
8%
Yes, for me only
8%
Yes, for me and my spouse partially
2%
No
82%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Note: One survey participant responded “Prefer Not to Answer” and was not included in the calculations above.
40
Insurance (cont.)
Does the division pay for disability insurance?
Yes
28%
No
72%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Note: Two survey participants responded “Prefer Not to Answer” and were not included in the calculations above.
41
Tax-Sheltered Annuity
Does the division contribute to a tax-sheltered annuity?
Yes
68%
No
32%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Note: One survey participant responded “Prefer Not to Answer” and was not included in the calculations above.
42
Retirement
Are you also a member of another retirement system?
Yes, I have credit in an out-of-state
system
14%
Yes, I am retired from an out-ofstate system
Yes, I earned credit at a private
school
10%
0%
No
76%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Note: Four survey participants responded “Prefer Not to Answer” and were not included in the calculations above.
43
Conclusions
To be completed with the client.
44