Bonus Baby

No wonder so many school administrators yearn to be superintendents; it is just about the only public sector job where you get a bonus for looking to work someplace else:

Baltimore County school board members voted unanimously last night to increase school Superintendent Joe A. Hairston's retirement benefits, a week after he withdrew from consideration for a similar job in Virginia.

After the meeting, Hairston promised that he would remain in Baltimore County through the end of his contract in 2008. "I will not betray my commitment to this community and this board," he said.

The 11 members present voted in favor of a plan to transfer his annual $10,800 bonus to his salary, which will improve his retirement benefits. Only board Vice President Warren Hayman was absent.

"I'm just compelled to follow through on a mission," Hairston said, adding that he felt "humbled" and "appreciative" at the board's action changing his compensation formula.

It is nice that Hairston decided to "follow through" after the board showed him the money.