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DuPage might pay regional superintendent's salary

Despite a $100,000 pay cut from the state, DuPage County Regional Superintendent of Schools Darlene Ruscitti soon may see some of her salary restored.

But she won't have Gov. Pat Quinn to thank for it.

DuPage County Board members are considering paying a prorated share of Ruscitti's $130,000 annual salary that would be retroactive to July 1 and continue through the end of November.

Officials say that would give state lawmakers a chance to return to Springfield this fall and override Quinn's veto of funding for regional education officials.

Ruscitti is one of 44 regional superintendents statewide who saw their salaries dramatically reduced or eliminated when Quinn made budget cuts that took effect July 1.

A Quinn spokesman has said the governor wants local taxpayers, not the state, footing the bill for regional offices.

County board member Paul Fichtner Tuesday criticized the way the governor set out to make a point.

“There were no votes,” Fichtner said. “There was no hearing. There was no discussion. It was just one night with a pen (vetoing a) line item out of the budget.”

DuPage already is contributing $30,000 to Ruscitti's annual salary. If the latest proposal is adopted, it would cost the county an additional $42,500. DuPage would try to recoup the money later from the state.

Board member Don Puchalski says the county's financial support makes sense considering the size of Ruscitti's office and the number of services it provides.

“I was on a school board before,” Puchalski said. “She does a lot, especially for kids in need. She does a lot with truancy. She does a lot with professional development.

“I don't know what they do in other counties, but I think we could easily justify funding her position.”

While the governor's veto also eliminated $90,000 in funding for the DuPage regional office's assistant superintendent, Ruscitti said she is using grant money to cover that salary until the fall veto session.

“I wish we could find some solution to this problem now,” Ruscitti said. “My fear is for some of these smaller (regional education) offices. I don't know how they are going to survive.”

Still, Ruscitti said she doesn't foresee the situation being corrected until the veto session.

“I don't see any light at the end of the tunnel right now,” she said. “I'm not sure if there are any next steps.”

No matter what happens, Ruscitti said her office will continue to fulfill its duties, which include approving the certification of teachers.

Suburban regional suprintendent offices in limbo after Quinn cuts