SCHOOL BOARD TO GIVE SUPERINTENDENT RAMOS $23,000 BONUS

The Board of Education on Monday is planning to approve a $23,394.50 "merit" bonus for Superintendent John Ramos, according to the agenda that indicates it is part of the annual merit review entitled under his contract.

Ramos, whose base salary is $177,500, is entitled to a 14.99% bonus each year if the board determines he has met stated goals. That could have been more than $26,000.

The bonus comes the same year that the district made major budget cuts that included the loss of 11 teachers, nine at Columbia High School, and other staff.

We reached out to the district and Dr. Ramos to ask about the bonus and if he would forego any of it in light of the district's economic troubles. Former Superintendent Brian Osborne did that in 2009 when he donated a raise to the South Orange Maplewood Education Fund. We have not received a response.

See the item on Monday's agenda below: