It’s become the norm for Superintendents to eliminate teachers if they do not get the budget they want. This time the Portsmouth Superintendent is threatening to eliminate teaching positions if he doesn’t get the increase in the school budget. Why is it, they never take that hammer to their own salaries?
Most SAU administrators working in New Hampshire receive a salary above the Governor, Attorney General and even the Commissioner of Education. The Portsmouth Superintendent makes $181,658.00/year. You can find all of the SAU administrator salaries here. :
Here are the salaries of the Governor and other Department heads:
According to Seacoast Online: Portsmouth school leader warns of layoffs if 2.9% budget cap holds
Superintendent Zachary McLaughlin is warning city schools will have to cut the equivalent of 15 teachers or 27 paraeducator jobs if the City Council doesn’t budge on its budget limit for 2025-26.
The City Council recently voted 8-1 to set a guideline to cap the budget increase at 2.9%.
“My understanding is that would represent the largest set of layoffs in a long stretch of time if this was to go through,” said McLaughlin, who is in his third year leading Portsmouth schools (SAU 52). “This will be a really tough month for the School Board and for our staff, who (are) very aware of the fact that a lot of jobs could be on the line.”
Why is it, the teachers have to be the first ones on the chopping block? Why is it the kids are the ones they want to make suffer?
Isn’t it interesting school budgets and property taxes climb at the same time that he threatens getting rid of teachers instead of administrative costs. It’s like they have to hijack your child’s education while increasing their personal wealth.
At what point will taxpayers in New Hampshire catch on to this scam?
