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Flagrant or fair? Aug 26, 2012 12:00 AM A A No sooner had the state Board of Higher Education announced a $20,000 raise for Southern Oregon University President Mary Cullinan — and similar increases for five of her colleagues — than the Medford School District weighed in with pay increases for 36 administrators, pushing salaries for 32 of them over $90,000 a year. It seems the district received $1.2 million more than expected from the state because enrollment increased. So the district promptly spent a good chunk of it on a pay raise for its highest-paid employees. While the administrators took an 8 percent pay cut last year, along with all district employees, and will pay more for their health insurance or take a higher deductible, the pay increases are more than most private-sector workers have seen in recent years or are likely to see anytime soon, given the glacial pace of the economic recovery. The cost of the administrators' raises and stipends — $219,307 — doesn't include raises for other managers and confidential staff not covered by union contracts. Superintendent Phil Long says the savings from the health insurance changes will offset the raises so the effect on the district's budget will be "relatively flat." But in a tough economy, those making $90,000 or more can afford to tread water better than those at the bottom of the pay scale. Is this financially irresponsible, or a gesture of fairness to employees who sacrificed in past years? You be the judge. Here is the list of the 2012-13 salaries for the 36 administrators, after the pay increases: Superintendent $136,382 (will go to $145,247 if the School Board approves) Director, secondary education $118,153 Director, elementary education $118,153 Director, human resources $119,218 Facilities manager $116,976 Chief financial officer $115,272 South Medford principal $110,360 McLoughlin principal $104,485 Curriculum supervisor $101,435 Special education supervisor $101,435 North Medford principal $100,302 Griffin Creek principal $98,618 Hoover principal $98,618 Kennedy principal $98,618 Jackson principal $98,618 NMHS assistant principal $97,445 Hedrick principal $96,034 Lone Pine principal $95,565 Oak Grove principal $95,565 Roosevelt principal $95,565 Washington principal $95,565 Howard principal $95,565 Jacksonville principal $95,565 Special programs supervisor $94,529 SMHS assistant principal $94,394 SMHS assistant principal $94,394 NMHS assistant principal $94,394 Ruch principal $94,394 Central principal $91,163 McLoughlin assistant principal $90,874 Wilson principal $90,163 Abe Lincoln principal $90,163 Jefferson principal $88,036 NMHS assistant principal $87,312 SMHS asstistant principal $87,312 Hedrick assistant principal $83,706