BERKELEY – Dr. Michelle CarneyRay-Yoder’s contract was extended for another two years, and she was praised for her leadership in the district.
Her contract was to end on June 30, 2028, but it was extended to June 30, 2030, according to information provided by district attorney, Mark Toscano.
Her salary for the 2026-7 school year will be $215,000 and will be increased each year by 3.5%. This figure was determined after reviewing salaries in Ocean County. The only other 7-12 regional superintendent in the county has a salary of $245,000 and six superintendents in the county will have a higher salary.
The salary was also determined after reviewing the salaries of employees who report to the superintendent, Toscano said.
Additionally, the 3.5% annual raises are less than the raises for other staff. For example, certified teachers during the time period are getting 3.8% and support staff are 4.5% Administrators are getting 3.8%. The current county average is 3.72%.
Her contract will also provide a $3,600 contribution toward a flex spending account; $2,400 annual car allowance in lieu of or in replacement of any mileage reimbursement; $5,000 annual technology allowance, which includes cell phone and internet, in accordance with the superintendent working off hours and remotely.
Board member Merissa Borowski, one of the members representing Berkeley Township, said that when Dr. CRY (how her name is abbreviated) was originally hired, it was during a time of difficulty for the district and “it was so hard to determine who we wanted to be.” However, she was happily surprised with the direction and leadership that was shown. She and the rest of the board voted unanimously to approve the contract.
Ron Donnerstag, the president of the Central Regional Education Association, thanked the board for hiring her.
“We put on a common front,” he said. “Unions can be adversarial with superintendents and boards but not here. Dr. CRY, you know we love you and we want to keep you around.”
