Just one day after Jericho Voice published an in-depth analysis of superintendent contract structures and transparency practices, Newsday released a region-wide investigation revealing that 64 Long Island educators earned $300,000 or more last year.
The similarities between Newsday’s findings and the issues raised in our report are impossible to miss.
The timing is remarkable.
The alignment is undeniable.
And the message is clear: superintendent contract structures matter, and the public is paying attention.
Newsday’s Findings Match What We Identified in Jericho
Newsday’s investigation highlights that:
high administrator compensation often stems from contract terms negotiated years earlier
payouts frequently include unused leave, stipends, and contractual add-ons
many contracts include benefits that expand significantly near retirement
transparency is inconsistent across districts
These are the exact patterns detailed in our review of Jericho’s historical superintendent contract, including:
large sick day accruals with retirement payout potential
lifetime 100% district-paid health insurance for superintendent and spouse
district-funded insurance across multiple categories
district-provided vehicle
salary increases not tied to performance metrics
a more complex removal process than seen in other districts
Newsday reinforced the point that these structures aren’t isolated—they’re part of a broader trend across Long Island.
A Regional Issue With Local Implications
The Newsday investigation framed the issue at the regional level.
Our analysis explained how the same contract dynamics appear right here in Jericho.
Newsday shows the scale of the issue.
We showed how Jericho’s past contract terms contributed to the compensation levels reflected in NYSTRS data.
The combination gives residents a full picture:
Long Island superintendent compensation routinely exceeds $300,000
Contract add-ons and benefits drive those totals
Legacy agreements play a major role in shaping modern payouts
Transparency dictates how well a community can understand these obligations
These are the same themes Jericho Voice highlighted just 24 hours earlier.
The Transparency Gap: Newsday’s Findings Underscore Its Importance
One of the most important overlaps between the two pieces is transparency.
Newsday noted that compensation details can be difficult for residents to track due to the complexity of contracts and variation among districts.
Jericho Voice identified something even more specific:
Jericho’s superintendent page lists the new superintendent, but links still lead to the previous superintendent’s contracts
There is no posted contract for the current superintendent
Jericho does not have a centralized or organized contract repository like many neighboring districts
Newsday’s reporting underscores exactly why this matters.
Without access to the actual agreement, residents cannot evaluate:
current obligations
modernized contract terms
potential benefit structures
how Jericho compares to the rest of Long Island
Transparency is not a luxury; it’s a basic requirement for community understanding.
This Moment Matters
When a local report and a regional investigation align this closely within a day of each other, it confirms that the topic is not niche or isolated. It is a significant issue affecting taxpayers, school budgets, and public trust.
Newsday provided the Long Island-wide data.
Jericho Voice provided the Jericho-specific context.
Together, they paint the full picture.
The Path Forward
This is not about fault.
Contract norms shift over time, and many legacy terms were common in earlier eras.
The focus now is on:
understanding how past agreements shaped current obligations
ensuring the community has access to the current superintendent contract
aligning Jericho’s transparency practices with regional standards
maintaining clarity and trust moving forward
Newsday’s investigation validates the importance of continuing this conversation.
Jericho Voice will remain committed to examining issues that affect our district, our finances, and the expectations residents should have for clear documentation.