DURHAM, N.H.
University System of New Hampshire employees accounted for the 62 highest salaries paid to state workers last year, with the president of UNH topping the list.
The New Hampshire Sunday News requested the release of state salary figures, which show University of New Hampshire President Mark Huddleston earning $317,000 last year. That’s almost triple the $109,410 Gov. John Lynch made.
UNH spokeswoman Kim Billings said Huddleston’s salary is competitive with comparable institutions and that he actually took a pay cut to come to New Hampshire. The job requires complex skills, seven-day-a-week commitment and years of experience, she said.
“Selecting him to lead the university was a good investment in New Hampshire’s public higher education,” she said.
The highest paid state worker outside the university system was state Supreme Court Chief Justice John Broderick, who came in at number 63 with his $138,451 salary. Just ahead of him was Bill Herrion, head coach of the UNH men’s basketball team.
“Good for him,” said Broderick. “Maybe I should go into football.”
Forty-eight of the top 50 earners outside of the university system were judges. The other two were Dr. Thomas Andrew, who earned $131,868 as the state’s chief medical examiner, and Dr. Diana Dorsey, the state’s senior physician, who earned $129,400.
With the state trying to eliminate a possible $50 million shortfall, Lynch is trying to find ways to cut costs, but layoffs are not expected, said the governor’s spokesman, Colin Manning.
Vacant positions may not be filled, or there may be delays in filling them, he said.
© Copyright 2005 by DiverseEducation.com
