Top 50 New England Boarding Schools Heads Average $455,000 in Compensation

Wednesday, July 19, 2017
GoLocalWorcester News Team

St. George's School
The heads of the top boarding schools in New England average nearly a half a million dollars in compensation annually -- for positions that have come under increased scrutiny in recent years. 

GoLocal takes its second look at how much the heads of some of the most prestigious preparatory schools in the country - and world - make, and found that since 2014, the average compensation of the highest paid school officials has risen from $420,000 to over $455,000.

And during that time, multiple boarding schools -- including St. George's in Rhode Island, Choate Rosemary Hall in Connecticut, and St. Paul's in New Hampshire -- have come under fire for the handling and de facto cover-up of sexual abuse claims -- some dating back decades. 

SLIDES: See the Top 50 Boarding School Heads' Compensation BELOW

Thomas Hassan earned over $850,000 before his departure from Exeter.
The top head of school? According to the most recent 990 filings available online, former Head of School Thomas Hassan at Philips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire had a reported compensation of $850,606 on the school's 2015 IRS 990 forms.

Hassan was replaced and was censured for his role in the cover up of an alleged sex scandal. Hassan's wife is a United States Senator and his role in the scandal was an issue in her run for the Senate, according to Politico. Previously, she was the Governor of New Hampshire. Lisa MacFarlane is now the head of Exeter.

In total, eight heads of boarding schools in New England topped over $600,000 in their most recently reported annual compensation, according the schools' latest available IRS filings. 

"I would share that similar to leaders in other sectors, heads of school are responsible for the performance of dynamic, multi-million dollar organizations," said Claire Leheny, Executive Director for the Association of Independent Schools in New England (AISNE).  "Market conditions, job requirements, and success in forwarding the mission and goals of the school all play a role in determining compensation."

"A school’s Board of Trustees is responsible for setting appropriate compensation for the head," said Leheny. "As part of the process, a Board is required to benchmark salaries regionally and nationally as well as comply with IRS regulations."

When asked for comment on compensation levels, representatives from the top five schools -- those over $600,0000 -- did not respond. 

Charlie Cahn of Suffield Academy ranks #2.
Schools Under Scrutiny

In December 2015, GoLocal reported that St. George's in Rhode Island was under investigation for dozens of reports of sexual assaults - and abuse - over the years. 

St. George’s, the exclusive prep school in Middletown, Rhode Island which reports assets of over $200 million, has admitted that after decades of denial that at least 23 students were molested by multiple faculty and staff.

St. George’s, which sits high above Second Beach and claims one of the most picturesque campuses in the world, has a long list of high profile alumni including John Nicholas Brown, actress Julie Bowen, Bill Bush, Tucker Carlson, many of the Astors, Senator Claiborne Pell and poet Ogden Nash.

On December 23, in the midst of the holiday week, the school released a letter to alumni including a report that admitted widespread sexual abuse. The report prepared by the law firm Schwartz Hannum admits that at least six staffers were involved in sexual abuse, but only named one of the former employees — Al Gibbs.

In August, St. George's reported that it was settling up to 30 sex abuse claims.

Since then, a number of schools in New England conducted their own investigations into reports of sex abuse at their schools -- including Choate in Connecticut. 

Read the Choate report HERE.

On July 14, Reuters reported that New Hampshire has opened a criminal probe into the elite St. Paul's School, following their May report that 13 former members of its staff had engaged in sexual misconduct with students in incidents dating back decades.

Attorney Carmen Durso
Attorney Carmen Durso, who represented victims in the St. George's sex abuse claims, weighed in on head of school compensation -- as it relates to their responsibilities. 

"I have no problem with a headmaster receiving compensation commensurate with the complexity of the position.  With that, comes the obligation to place the welfare of the students first, even if doing so might seem to harm the reputation of the institution," said Durso. "If the institution claims to have a set of values, then they can't be abandoned when the application of those principles becomes inconvenient or embarrassing."

"The ability to recognize that, and to live by it, is what makes an institution great, and the headmaster worth his [or her] salary," said Durso. "Unfortunately, that's not something we see often in the school cases."

  • 50.

    Head of School: Peter Becker

    Total Compensation: $278,836

    School: The Gunnery

    Number of Students: 288  

    Grades: 9-12 PG

    Location: Washington, CT

    Tuition Board: $55,350

    Tuition Day: $40,425

    Source: 2015, IRS 990

     

  • 49.

    Head of School: David McCusker

    Total Compensation: $282,515

    School: Cardigan Mountain School

    Number of Students: 214

    Grades: 6-9

    Location: Canaan, NH

    Tuition Board: $53,785

    Tuition Day: $31,220

    Source: 2015, IRS 990

    Current Head of School as of June 2017: Christopher D. Day

     

  • 48.

    Head of School: Antonio Viva

    Total Compensation: $285,409

    School: Walnut School for the Arts

    Number of Students: 295

    Grades: 9-12 PG

    Location: Natick, MA

    Tuition Board: $57,880

    Tuition Day: $43,680

    Source: 2015, IRS 990

     

  • 47.

    Head of School: John Quirk

    Total Compensation: $292,450

    School: Tabor Academy

    Number of Students: 517

    Grades: 9-12

    Location: Marion, MA

    Tuition Board: $57,750

    Tuition Day: $39,780

    Source: 2015, IRS 990

     

  • 46.

    Head of School: R Daniel Schiebe

    Total Compensation: $303,112

    School: Lawrence Academy

    Number of Students: 397

    Grades: 9-12

    Location: Groton, MA

    Tuition Board: $59,750

    Tuition Day: $46,250

    Source: 2015, IRS 990

     

  • 45.

    Head of School: John Nozell

    Total Compensation: $322,438

    School: Cheshire Academy

    Number of Students: 437

    Grades: 9-12 PG

    Location: Cheshire, CT

    Tuition Board: $57,120

    Tuition Day: $39,900

    Source: 2015, IRS 990

     

  • 44.

    Head of School: Thomas Farmen

    Total Compensation: $329,044

    School: Rumsey Hall School

    Number of Students: 336

    Grades: 5-9

    Location: Washington Dpt, CT

    Tuition Board: $55,665

    Tuition Day: $26,040

    Source: 2015, IRS 990

    Current Head of School as of June 2017:  Matthew Hoeniger

     

  • 43.

    Head of School: Andrew Chase

    Total Compensation: $331,571

    School: Eaglebrook School

    Number of Students: 247

    Grades: 6-9

    Location: Deerfield, MA

    Tuition Board: $59,500

    Tuition Day: $38,500

    Source: 2015, IRS 990

     

  • 42.

    Head of School: Michael Henriques

    Total Compensation: $336,335

    School: Proctor Academy

    Number of Students: 360

    Grades: 9-12 PG

    Location: Andover, NH

    Tuition Board: $57,200

    Tuition Day: $34,500

    Source: 2015, IRS 990

     

  • 41.

    Head of School: Pieter Mulder

    Total Compensation: $336,431

    School: Berkshire School

    Number of Students: 399

    Grades: 9-12 PG

    Location: Sheffield, MA

    Tuition Board: $58,500

    Tuition Day: $46,500

    Source: 2015, IRS 990 

     

  • 40.

    Head of School: Thomas Lovett

    Total Compensation: $337,293

    School: St. Johnsbury Academy

    Number of Students: 950

    Grades: 9-12 PG

    Location: St. Johnsbury, VT

    Tuition Board: $51,560

    Tuition Day: $16,315

    Source: 2015, IRS 990

     

  • 39.

    Head of School: Mark Devey

    Total Compensation: $341,757

    School: Indian Mountain School

    Number of Students: 250

    Grades: 6-9

    Location: Lakeville, CT

    Tuition Board: $59,610

    Tuition Day: $30,805

    Source: 2015, IRS 990

    Current Head of School as of June 2017: Jody Soja

     

  • 38.

    Head of School: Robert Broudo

    Total Compensation: $346,876

    School: Landmark School

    Number of Students: 476

    Grades: 9-12

    Location: Prides Crossing, MA

    Tuition Board: $71,300

    Tuition Day: $54,300

    Source: 2015, IRS 990

     

  • 37.

    Head of School: John Packard

    Total Compensation: $348,636

    School: Brooks School

    Number of Students: 378

    Grades: 9-12

    Location: Andover, MA

    Tuition Board: $57,785

    Tuition Day: $44,575

    Source: 2015, IRS 990

     

  • 36.

    Head of School: Caroline Erisman

    Total Compensation: $356,498

    School: Dana Hall School

    Number of Students: 482

    Grades: 9-12

    Location: Wellesley, MA

    Tuition Board: $59,680

    Tuition Day: $45,650

    Source: 2015, IRS 990

    Current Head of School as of June 2017: Katherine Bradley

     

  • 35.

    Head of School: Christopher Torino

    Total Compensation: $357,643

    School: Cushing Academy

    Number of Students: 400

    Grades: 9-12 PG

    Location: Ashburnham, MA

    Tuition Board: $57,800

    Tuition Day: $40,300

    Source: 2015, IRS 990

    Current Heads of School as of June 2017: Margaret Lee and Catherine Pollock

     

  • 34.

    Head of School: Timothy Richards

    Total Compensation: $358,229

    School: Pomfret School

    Number of Students: 350

    Grades: 9-12 PG

    Location: Pomfret, CT

    Tuition Board: $57,570

    Tuition Day: $37,670

    Source: 2015, IRS 990

     

  • 33.

    Head of School: Peter Quimby

    Total Compensation: $363,831

    School: The Governor’s Academy

    Number of Students: 406

    Grades: 9-12

    Location: Byfield, MA

    Tuition Board: $57,500

    Tuition Day: $45,800

    Source: 2015, IRS 990

     

  • 32,

    Head of School: John Warren

    Total Compensation: $373,935

    School: St. Mark’s School

    Number of Students: 360

    Grades: 9-12

    Location: Southborough, MA

    Tuition Board: $57,500

    Tuition Day: $45,800

    Source: 2015, IRS 990

     

  • 31.

    Head of School: Rodney Labrecque

    Total Compensation: $383,826

    School: Wilbraham & Monson Academy

    Number of Students: 425

    Grades: 8-12 PG

    Location: Wilbraham, MA

    Tuition Board: $58,200

    Tuition Day: $39,300

    Source: 2015, IRS 990

    Current Head of School as of June 2017: Brian Easler

     

  • 30.

    Head of School: R Phillip Peck

    Total Compensation: $384,339

    School: Holderness School

    Number of Students: 280

    Grades: 9-12 PG

    Location: Plymouth, NH

    Tuition Board: $58,500

    Tuition Day: $38,500

    Source: 2016, IRS 990

     

  • 29.

    Head of School: William Vn Phillip

    Total Compensation: $386,587

    School: Westminster School

    Number of Students: 390

    Grades: 9-12 PG

    Location: Simsbury, CT

    Tuition Board: $58,300

    Tuition Day: $43,750

    Source: 2015, IRS 990

     

  • 28.

    Head of School: Adam Man

    Total Compensation: $395,086

    School: Forman School

    Number of Students: 218

    Grades: 9-12 PG

    Location: Litchfield, CT

    Tuition Board: $70,555

    Tuition Day: $57,680

    Source: 2015, IRS 990

     

  • 27.

    Head of School: Andrew Menke

    Total Compensation: $401,805

    School: New Hampton School

    Number of Students: 320

    Grades: 9-12 PG

    Location: New Hampton, NH

    Tuition Board: $57,500

    Tuition Day: $33,900

    Source: 2015, IRS 990

    Current Head of School as of June 2017: Joe Williams

     

  • 26,

    Head of School: Robert Hill III

    Total Compensation: $406,132

    School: The Williston Northampton School

    Number of Students: 440

    Grades: 9-12 PG

    Location: Easthampton, MA

    Tuition Board: $50,800

    Tuition Day: $34,800

    Source: 2015, IRS 990

     

  • 25.

    Head of School: Thomas Sheehy III

    Total Compensation: $408,230

    School: Canterbury School

    Number of Students: 320

    Grades: 9-12 PG

    Location: New Milford, CT

    Tuition Board: $53,900

    Tuition Day: $41,900

    Source: 2015, IRS 990

    Current Head of School as of June 2017: Rachel Stone

     

  • 24.

    Head of School: Richard Hardy

    Total Compensation: $447,014

    School: Concord Academy

    Number of Students: 382

    Grades: 9-12

    Location: Concord, MA

    Tuition Board: $58,558

    Tuition Day: $47,160

    Source: 2015, IRS 990

     

  • 23.

    Head of School: Peter Mcdonald

    Total Compensation: $456,667

    School: Eagle Hill School

    Number of Students: 220

    Grades: 8-12

    Location: Hardwick, MA

    Tuition Board: $67,850

    Tuition Day: $48,099

    Source: 2015, IRS 990

     

  • 22.

    Head of School: Chisholm Chandler

    Total Compensation: $473,965

    School: Salisbury School

    Number of Students: 305

    Grades: 9-12 PG

    Location: Salisbury, CT

    Tuition Board: $58,100

    Tuition Day: $47,500

    Source: 2015, IRS 990 

     

  • 21.

    Head of School: Kenneth LaRocque

    Total Compensation: $481,022

    School: Avon Old Farms

    Number of Students: 409

    Grades: 9-12 PG

    Location: Avon, CT

    Tuition Board: $52,400

    Tuition Day: $39,700

    Source: 2015, IRS 990

     

  • 20.

    Head of School: Michael Schafer

    Total Compensation: $487,757

    School: Kimball Union Academy

    Number of Students: 340

    Grades: 9-12 PG

    Location: Meriden, NH

    Tuition Board: $58,200

    Tuition Day: $36,200

    Source: 2015, IRS 990

     

  • 19.

    Head of School: Temba Maqubela

    Total Compensation: $488,956

    School: Groton School

    Number of Students: 380

    Grades: 8-12

    Location: Groton, MA

    Tuition Board: $56,700

    Tuition Day: $43,390

    Source: 2015, IRS 990

     

  • 18.

    Head of School: William MacMullen

    Total Compensation: $492,239

    School: The Taft School

    Number of Students: 594

    Grades: 9-12 PG

    Location: Watertown, CT

    Tuition Board: $56,550

    Tuition Day: $41,950

    Source: 2015, IRS 990

     

  • 17.

    Head of School: Richardson Schell

    Total Compensation: $495,953

    School: Kent School

    Number of Students: 570

    Grades: 9-12 PG

    Location: Kent, CT

    Tuition Board: $58,450

    Tuition Day: $46,300

    Source: 2015, IRS 990

     

  • 16.

    Head of School: Michael Hirschfield

    Total Compensation: $523,416

    School: St. Paul’s School

    Number of Students: 531

    Grades: 9-12

    Location: Concord, NH

    Tuition Board: $56,460

    Tuition Day: N/A

    Source: 2015, IRS 990

     

  • 15.

    Head of School: Peter Fayroian

    Total Compensation: $526,588

    School: Northfield Mount Hermon

    Number of Students: 650

    Grades: 9-12 PG

    Location: Mount Hermon, MA

    Tuition Board: $59,500

    Tuition Day: $40,500

    Source: 2015, IRS 990

     

  • 14.

    Head of School: Sheila Culbert

    Total Compensation: $543,963

    School: The Loomis Chaffee School

    Number of Students: 650

    Grades: 9-12 PG

    Location: Windsor, CT

    Tuition Board: $53,750

    Tuition Day: $40,780

    Source: 2015, IRS 990 

     

  • 13.

    Head of School: Elizabeth Cromwell Spears

    Total Compensation: $550,761

    School: The Ethel Walker School

    Number of Students: 251

    Grades: 9-12 PG

    Location: Simsbury, CT

    Tuition Board: $58,550

    Tuition Day: $42,550

    Source: 2015, IRS 990

    Current Head of School as of June 2017: Meera Viswanathan

     

  • 12.

    Head of School: Kathleen Giles

    Total Compensation: $552,909

    School: Middlesex School

    Number of Students: 395

    Grades: 9-12

    Location: Concord, MA

    Tuition Board: $58,020

    Tuition Day: $46,420

    Source: 2015, IRS 990

     

  • 11.

    Head of School: John G Palfrey

    Total Compensation: $554,979

    School: Phillips Academy Andover

    Number of Students: 1150

    Grades: 9-12 PG

    Location: Andover, MA

    Tuition Board: $52,600

    Tuition Day: $41,000

    Source: 2015, IRS 990

     

  • 10.

    Head of School: Kevin Hicks

    Total Compensation: $566,824

    School: The Hotchkiss School

    Number of Students: 598

    Grades: 9-12 PG

    Location: Lakeville, CT

    Tuition Board: $52,430

    Tuition Day: $44,575

    Source: 2015, IRS 990

     

  • 9.

    Head of School: Eric Peterson

    Total Compensation: $597,052

    School: St. George’s School

    Number of Students: 370

    Grades: 9-12

    Location: Newport, RI

    Tuition Board: $59,750

    Tuition Day: $41,300

    Source: 2015, IRS 990

    Current Head of School as of June 2017: Alixe Callen

     

  • 8.

    Head of School: Margarita O’Byrne Curtis

    Total Compensation: $614,577

    School: Deerfield Academy

    Number of Students: 650

    Grades: 9-12 PG

    Location: Deerfield, MA

    Tuition Board: $56,770

    Tuition Day: $40,695

    Source: 2015, IRS 990

     

  • 7.

    Head of School: Robert Henderson Jr

    Total Compensation: $616,634

    School: Noble and Greenough

    Number of Students: 613

    Grades: 7-12

    Location: Dedham, MA

    Tuition Board: $54,000

    Tuition Day: $48,200

    Source: 2015, IRS 990

     

  • 6.

    Head of School: Robert Gustavson Jr

    Total Compensation: $641,541

    School: Fay School

    Number of Students: 475

    Grades: 7-9

    Location: Southborough, MA

    Tuition Board: $65,060

    Tuition Day: $38,550

    Source: 2015, IRS 990

     

  • 5.

    Head of School: Katherine Windsor

    Total Compensation: $661,940

    School: Miss Porter’s School

    Number of Students: 325

    Grades: 9-12

    Location: Farmington, CT

    Tuition Board: $56,700

    Tuition Day: $45,660

    Source: 2015, IRS 990 

     

  • 4.

    Head of School: Alexander Curtis

    Total Compensation: $679,122

    School: Choate Rosemary Hall

    Number of Students: 862

    Grades: 9-12 PG

    Location: Wallingford, CT

    Tuition Board: $55,780

    Tuition Day: $43,130

    Source: 2015, IRS 990

     

  • 3.

    Head of School: Theodorick Bland

    Total Compensation: $681,952

    School: Milton Academy

    Number of Students: 700

    Grades: 9-12

    Location: Milton, MA

    Tuition Board: $55,410

    Tuition Day: $45,490

    Source: 2015, IRS 990

     

  • 2.

    Head of School: Charles Cahn III

    Total Compensation: $735,043

    School: Suffield Academy

    Number of Students: 415

    Grades: 9-12 PG

    Location: Suffield, CT

    Tuition Board: $59,500

    Tuition Day: $40,500

    Source: 2015 990 

     

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