In the midst of discussion about school consolidation and funding, public media outlet WFYI has published a database of the highest-paid employees at public and charter schools across Indiana. Photo by Nathan Cima, Unsplash.
INDIANAPOLIS — As Indiana lawmakers and communities continue to debate school consolidation, funding, and the distribution of resources, public scrutiny is increasingly focused on what school administrators are paid.
To provide greater transparency, public media outlet WFYI has published a searchable database of the top three highest-paid employees at every public school district and charter school across the state.
The database includes nearly 1,300 individuals and reflects total compensation for the 2024 calendar year, including not only base salaries, but also bonuses, stipends, severance, overtime, and other cash payouts. Health benefits and other non-cash compensation were not included.
This information comes from
Form 100R
, an annual financial report required of all public unites in Indiana. The data reflects actual pay received during the year — meaning partial-year employment, such as a superintendent retiring mid-year, is accounted for in the figures.
Statewide,
the most recent collective bargaining data
show that during the 2023-24 school year, superintendents received an average total compensation of $192,155, while administrators earned an average of $157,908.
These figures apply only to traditional public school districts, as charter schools do not engage in collective bargaining and are not required to report the same data. Private schools receiving state-funded vouchers are also exempt from reporting staff pay.
Some charter school leaders are excluded from WFYI’s database because they are employed by outside organizations such as nonprofit management companies.
According to WFYI, the 10 highest-compensated public school employees in 2024 include nine superintendents from traditional public school districts and one charter school executive. Several of them are retiring this year, or recently did so, contributing to higher-than-average payouts.
Smith has served as superintendent for more than 11 years. His 2023 base salary was $241,176. The district’s board president, Amy Norman, said the compensation includes a performance bonus and reflects Smith’s 36 years in education and leadership of a district serving 16,500 students.
“He’s helped turn our district around to be responsible with the tax dollars,” Norman said, citing increased graduation rates and the lack of a need for a referendum to raise taxes.
Masengale, CEO of the charter school network, said her 2024 compensation includes a one-time payout of unused vacation time accumulated since she joined in 2011. The network enrolls about 2,500 students, including 1,000 in an adult high school.
Woodson has led the district of 10,700 students since 2011. She is set to retire in July.
Butts has let the district as Marion County superintendent since 2011. There are 11,400 students enrolled in the district.
Olinger, listed as Charles S. Olinger in state employee compensation records, has led the Hendricks County district as superintendent for 17 years. It serves 5,800 students.
Francesconi retired in February 2024 after nearly a decade as superintendent. His base pay was $162,840. The remaining compensation came from a one-time retirement package, according to the district.
Smith, a 43-year veteran of the district, has served as superintendent for 14 years and will retire in July. The district serves 21,400 students.
Young became superintendent in 2022 and has worked in the district for 24 years. The Marion County district enrolls 10,600 students.
Beresford, superintendent since 2018, will retire this summer. The Hamilton County district enrolls 16,100 students.
Johnson has led the state’s largest district for six years. IPS enrolls 31,300 students, including those at both district-run and partner schools.
The data comes at a time when Indiana education leaders are facing increasing calls for transparency and accountability as school districts navigate shifting enrollment patterns, declining public school funding in some areas, and growing charter and voucher systems.
To view a table of compensation for Indiana school district and charter employees in 2024,
click here.
