New Haven Register (New Haven, CT)
Schools chief tops list of city education salaries
WEST HAVEN — Superintendent of Schools Neil Cavallaro was the highestpaid education employee in calendar year 2020, earning $205,756, but the secondhighest in the city, as the top spot went to a detective sergeant in the Police Department who earned $212,806.
In comparison, in nearby Milford, Superintendent of Schools Anna Cutaia topped Cavallaro with 2020 earnings of $240,231, with some minor adjustment to that number because of the last pay day falling on a holiday. Milford’s assistant superintendent earned $186,662 in 2020, compared to West Haven’s assistant superintendent, Anne Druzolowski, who earned $156,133 in 2020, the secondhighest salary in the school system.
The total annual cost of the top 20 school salaries is $2.8 million, the record provided by the district shows.
Cavallaro, asked for comment on the salary list, said his “entire administrative team goes above and beyond to ensure that every child in our school district receives a quality education.”
“This year has been especially challenging with the inception of distance learning, reopening schools, and monitoring those students who have chosen to remain out on distance learning,” Cavallaro said.
“They’ve also spent a great deal of time convincing families that our schools are safe in an effort get children back to school. As I’ve said many times this year, I’m very fortunate to lead such a talented group of administrators and teachers,” he said.
The list of 20 top wage earners in the school system, along with a list of the top 20 non-education salaries in the city, were produced quickly and without charge upon request to West Haven’s corporation counsel.
The top 20 list of education employees is largely made up of school principals. After Cavallaro and Druzolowski, the list from the third-highest on is as follows:
— Dana Paredes, principal, West Haven High School, $143,108.
— Joseph Lucibello, pupil services director, $136,457.
— Amy-Joe Palermo, principal, Seth G. Haley Elementary School,
$135,643.
— Taryn Driend, principal, Savin Rock Community School, $135,123.
— Thomas Hunt, principal, Forest Elementary School, $134,739.
— Judith Drenzek, principal, Mackrille Elementary School, $134,683.62.
— Gary Palermo, principal, Pagels Elementary School, $134,428.
— Francine Lytwinick, specialized teacher,
$134,412.
— Robert Bohan, principal, Bailey Middle School, $133,863.
— Twana Shirden, principal, Washington Elementary School, $133,653.
— Richard Weber, principal, Carrigan Intermediate School, $133,343.
— Stefania Larry, early childhood director,
$132,454.
— James Turcio, assistant principal, curriculum, $132,298.
— Rafaela Fronc, coordinator of early learning, $131,768.
— Nicole Danishevsky, coordinator of early learning, 131,684.
— Scott Shand, assistant principal, West Haven High School, $131,262.
— Patricia Robles, assistant principal, West Haven High School, 130,488.
— Colette Bennett, coordinator of early learning, $129,778.