By John Schwing

WESTPORT — Top wages for Westport public school employees in 2024, as is traditionally the case, were paid to central office administrators and principals, led by Supt. of Schools Thomas Scarice.

The schools chief took home $356,446.28 last year, according to data provided by the school district.

Salaries and benefits consume by far the largest share of school district expenditures annually. The superintendent’s $150.3 million budget recommended for 2025-26 would allot 62.9 percent of the total for staff salaries and another 17.1 percent for benefits.

The current education budget, as approved for 2024-25 by the Representative Town Meeting last spring, is $143.6 million. The Board of Education has yet to take a final vote on Scarice’s recommended budget for the next fiscal year, before passing it on to the Board of Finance.

Strictly in terms of salary, Scarice’s pay outstrips all others on Westport’s public payrolls, including both school and town employees, followed by members of his executive cabinet.

But when overtime and outside wages are factored into overall compensation for police and fire personnel, their annual pay in recent years has reached similar levels.

Last July, the Board of Education approved a 3 percent pay hike for Scarice and extended his contract until the end of the 2026-27 academic year. His total compensation in 2023, also tops among all local public employees, was $334,941.

A list of the 25 largest compensation packages paid to Westport public school personnel in 2024 follows:

Supt. of Schools Thomas Scarice: $356,446.28 total — $329,348.73 salary, plus $7,097.55 vacation days conversion, $10,000 tax-sheltered annuity and $10,000 that can be used to reduce this amount on a pre-tax basis as an elective deferral to a 403(b) retirement plan.

Elio Longo, chief financial officer: $286,462.97 total — $269,498.97 salary, with $11,964.00 vacation days conversion and $5,000 tax-sheltered annuity.

Anthony Buono, assistant superintendent/teaching and learning: $276,616.53 total —$255,283.63 salary with $11,332.90 vacation days conversion and $10,000 tax-sheltered annuity.

John Bayers, assistant superintendent/human resources and general administration: $260,654.34 total — $239,984.09 salary with $15,670.25 vacation days conversion and $5,000 tax-sheltered annuity.

Michael Rizzo, assistant superintendent/pupil services: $259,075 total — $248,715.10 salary with $5,359.90 vacation days conversion and $5,000 tax-sheltered annuity.

Stafford Thomas, Staples High School principal: $237,590.

Adam Rosen, Bedford Middle School principal: $216,271.05.

Janna Sirowich, Coleytown Middle School principal: $211,345.67.

Elizabeth Messler: Saugatuck Elementary School principal: $208,983.64.

Kimberly Ambrosio, Long Lots Elementary School principal: $208,983.64.

Tracey Carbone, Kings Highway Elementary School principal: $208,983.64.

Natalie Carrignan, information technology director: $208,983.64.

Brian Byrne, Greens Farms Elementary School principal: $206,702.14.

Micah Lawrence, Staples High School assistant principal: $200,053.98 total — $195,759.46 salary with $4,294.52 in “other/extra” earnings.

James Farnen, Staples High School assistant principal: $197,259.46 total — $195,759.46 salary and $1,500 in “other/extra” earnings.

Patrick Micinilio, Staples High School assistant principal: $196,782.46 total — $195,759.46 salary with $1,023 in “other/extra” earnings.

Rosemarie Ampha, Staples High School assistant principal for special education: $195,759.46.

Lauren Pitocco, Coleytown Middle School assistant principal: $195,759.46.

Megan Gallant, Bedford Middle School assistant principal: $195,759.46.

Christine Cincotta, Staples High School assistant principal: $194,071.51.

Johanna Davis, Coleytown Elementary School assistant principal for special education: $190,253.80 total — $183,155.65 salary with $7,098.15 in “other/extra” earnings.

Kelly Michel, elementary curriculum coordinator: $189,512.25.

Geno Heiter, Staples High School teacher: $187,351.81 total — $128,410.93 salary with $58,940.88 in “other/extra” earnings.

Megan Clarke, Stepping Stones Preschool director: $185,024.62.

Lauren Francese, social studies coordinator, grades K-12: $184,530.94.

The “other/extra” earnings category generally covers compensation for employees filling in for staff absences, extracurricular responsibilities and similar assignments.

John Schwing, interim editor of the Westport Journal, has held senior editorial and writing posts at southwestern Connecticut media outlets for four decades. Learn more about us here.