A majority of school superintendents in the Baton Rouge area were paid less than the national average for leaders of other districts of similar size, an analysis by The Advocate found.
The bigger picture: Click here to see the statewide database and analysis
Data from the 2022-2023 school year, the latest comparison available, shows superintendents in the following districts were paid more than the equivalent national average:
- Zachary (5,592 students): $205,593
- Iberville (4,172 students): $197,019
- Pointe Coupee (2,437 students): $154,300
- West Feliciana (2,196 students): $158,000
- Baker (978 students): $144,450
Meanwhile, superintendents in the following districts were paid less than the national average for equivalent districts:
- East Baton Rouge (40,443 students): $255,000
- Livingston (27,105 students): $148,834
- Ascension (24,138 students): $224,380
- Central (4,702 students): $163,068
- West Baton Rouge (4,257 students): $156,800
- East Feliciana (1,682 students): $141,935
A statewide analysis found that superintendents were paid less than average in 49 of 69 districts in Louisiana — roughly 70%. But parishes that paid their superintendents the most paid well above the average.
The analysis compared salaries for the 2022-2023 school year reported to the Louisiana Legislative Auditor with salary data from the national association that represents superintendents.
Nationally, the average pay reported for districts with 25,000 to 50,000 students was $258,000; for districts with 10,000 to 25,000 students it was $225,000; and for students with 3,000 to 5,000 students it was $180,0000.
In some cases, new superintendents have been hired or salaries have changed since the data used in the analysis.
For example, East Baton Rouge has since hired new superintendent LaMont Cole at a salary of $285,000, which would put him over the national average for salaries in the same size category.
In Ascension, meanwhile, new superintendent Edith Walker was hired last year at a salary of $199,500, lower than her predecessor and considerably less than the average for districts of its size.