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The Greater Johnstown School District’s leadership were the district’s top earners for the 2022-2023 school year, according to information obtained in a Freedom of Information Law Request.
Superintendent Dr. William Crankshaw brought in $167,433.76 — a total that was just shy of $1,400 above his base salary, while Assistant Superintendent Alicia Koster ranked second at roughly $1,900 above her base pay at a total of $119,255. Music teacher Andrew LaCoppola, Nicole Lent, director of pupil services, special education, and high school Principal Scott Hale rounded out the district’s top five earners.
“Typically the superintendent is at the top, followed by administrators,” Crankshaw said. “I was happy to see teachers who have many years with the district are compensated appropriately.”
The top 10 highest-paid individuals in the GJSD were as follows:
- William Crankshaw, superintendent — Total Pay: $167,433.76 (Base Salary: $166,050)
- Alicia Koster, assistant superintendent — Total Pay: $119,255.00 (Base Salary: $117,300)
- Andrew LaCoppola, music teacher — Total Pay: $110,408.04 (Base Salary: $91,098.00)
- Nicole Lent, director of pupil services, special education — Total Pay: $109,209.12 (Base Salary: $98,294.60)
- Scott Hale, high school principal — Total Pay: $106,280.32 (Base Salary: $104,538.00)
- Katrina Bevington, special education teacher, Pleasant Ave. Elementary — Total Pay: $103,760.86 (Base Salary: $91,098)
- Corinne Cotter, Pleasant Ave. elementary principal — Total Pay: $103,636.28 (Base Salary: $96,757.00)
- Kristin Meashaw, elementary teacher, academic intervention services — Total Pay: $99,724.50 (Base Salary: $91,098)
- Robert Kraemer, Knox Middle School principal — Total Pay: $99,619.60 (Base Salary: $96,757.00)
- Melissa Miles, math teacher — Total Pay: $99,103.91 (Base Salary: $91,098.00)
“Oftentimes, those salaries are higher as teachers because they also do a number of clubs, activities, maybe even coaching, that is also added to those salaries,” Crankshaw said.
Other additional duties are accounted for such as taking part in the attendance team, or mentoring other teachers. Teachers on the attendance team earned an extra $1,050, as did mentors. Those who’ve demonstrated longevity in their careers at the district received a $1,000 bonus.
Some employees opt out of receiving insurance benefits, which results in a $3,000 buyout from the district.
“They are saving the district in some cases tens of thousands of dollars by not taking the insurance” Crankshaw said. “The buyout is a modest attempt at giving them that benefit.”
LaCoppola received the most additional pay on top of his base salary, amounting to a total of $19,310.04 for duties such as summer school, mentoring, and extracurricular activities.
“Those teachers I saw on the list were very committed and engaged professionals,” Crankshaw said.
