Montgomery School Superintendent's Contract Up for Renewal at Board Meeting Tonight, Petition Circulated to Delay Vote

By Barbara A. Preston for The Montgomery News | September 15, 2026 (updated at 3 pm).

What should a school superintendent be paid?

The Montgomery Board of Education plans to decide how much its school superintendent should be paid tonight as it reviews the contract of its veteran school superintendent Mary E. McLoughlin. The meeting begins at 6 pm in the Orchard Hill Elementary School cafeteria.

The proposed five-year contract offers a salary adjustment in the first year, offering a retroactive increase from $240,400 to $279,000 (for the period beginning on July l, 2026 and ending June 30, 2027).

Mary McLoughin has worked in the Montgomery School District since 2013.

The Basic Contract

In addition to increasing the superintendent's salary for the 2026-2027 school year, the remaining four years of the contract offer 2% increases each year as follows: $284,580 (July 2027-June 2028), $290,272 (July 2028-June 2029), $296,070 (July 2029-June 2030); and finally $301,999 (July 2030-June 2021). View the entire proposal here.

New Jersey school superintendents earn the highest salaries in the nation, according to a June 2026 survey by nj.com.

"Average New Jersey school superintendent salaries topped $203,000 during the most recent school year, though the top-paid superintendents surpassed $300,000 in annual earnings, according to a new analysis of state data by NJ.com."

Local School Superintendents' Salaries for 2026-27
West Windsor-Plainsboro	David Aderhold	$296,351
Princeton Public School	Michael Lasusa	$295,000
Lawrence Township	Robyn Hilm	$255,000
Bridgewater-Raritan	Robert Beers	$262,573
Hillsborough	Michael Volpe	$249,384
Franklin Township	Jennifer Aquino	$262,500
Montgomery School District	Mary McLoughlin	$240,400
Hopewell	Rosetta Treece	$213,220

Data listed for 2026-2027 school year from the NJ Department of Education.

School board candidate Gabriela Zayova recently circulated an online petition, garnering 666 signatures as of Sept. 15 at 9 am, calling for the school board to "reject the five-year proposed contract" and to defer the renewal decision until the newly elected board takes office in 2027.

Zayova writes in the petition: "We recognize that salaries should reflect responsibilities, experience, and changes in the cost of living. However, a 19.54% increase in one year is far above ordinary inflation and the 3% to 4% increases generally received by teachers. The board should not approve such a large increase without clear performance standards, strong protections for the district, and meaningful participation by the representatives voters will elect in November.

School Board President Pat Todd gave the following comment to The Montgomery News regarding the petition.

"The Board recognizes and respects the community’s right to express its views regarding the proposed superintendent contract, including through petitions and public comment.

"The proposed agreement has been made available to the public, and the board will consider the contract through the established public process. Board members will have the opportunity to consider the terms of the agreement, the comments and concerns raised by members of the community, and what each believes is in the best interests of the school district. As board president, I do not believe it would be appropriate for me to prejudge the outcome or speak for individual board members before the board has completed that process."

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McLoughlin has served as assistant superintendent of schools for Montgomery since November 2019. She was made superintendent 2020. Previously, she served as director of Pupil Services for Montgomery (from July 2013 to November 2018)

McLoughlin earned a master's degree in Administration, Curriculum and Instruction from New Jersey City University and was enrolled in the doctoral program in Education Leadership at Seton Hall University. Her undergraduate degree is from Rutgers University.

McLoughlin is the highest paid public employee in Montgomery Township.

3 Highest Paid Public Employees in Montgomery Township
Montgomery School District Superintendent	Mary McLoughlin	$240,400
Montgomery Township Administrator / Planning Director	Lori Savron	$231,701 (includes her $15,798 annual stipend for serving as planning director)
Montgomery Police Chief	Silvio Bet	$214,827

Montgomery School Board Meeting

The meeting begins at 6 pm in the Orchard Hill Elementary School cafeteria.

Click here for the agenda and other information.