One of the highest paid civil servants in School District 43 hasn’t worked at the board office since 2016.
Recently posted Statement of Financial Information documents show Mark Ferrari, former secretary treasurer, earned $171,579,65 in the school year ending June 30, 2019.
That’s the third highest salary after Superintendent Patricia Gartland who earned $226,407.54 during the 2017/'18 school year and secretary treasurer Chris Nicolls, who earned $174,416.13.
Ferrari hasn’t worked in the district since October, 2016, but his severance package pays him until the end of this month.
Other top wage earners in School District 43, according to SOFI, are:
• Asst. Super Carey Chute — $165,994.77
•. Asst. Super Reno Ciolfi — $165,994.78
• Asst. Super Rob Zambrano — $163,228.94
• Asst. Super Gerald Shong — $163,228.94
Meanwhile, the number of SD43 employees making over $100,000 a year is down slightly this past year to 154, compared to 164 in 2016/'17.
But the district shelled out about $5 million more this past year for employees making more than $75,000 a year — $115.9 million in salaries for experienced teachers, administrators and other posts, up from $110.8 million in 2016/'17.
The SOFI statements also record the district’s audited financial statements and payments to suppliers. The biggest payouts went to the teachers’ pension plan at $21 million, Pacific Blue Cross at $12 million and Yellowridge Construction at $17 million.
