It is apparent in her letter of Aug. 20 that Kathi Secko is upset at the thought of the Hicksville School District paying its superintendent a salary of $140,000 per year. I think just about everyone would agree that this is a very nice income. However, you must understand why this position commands the salary it does. A district superintendent, in addition to being the educational leader of the district, is, in effect, the CEO of a $60 million-a-year corporation.

If anyone thinks the Hicksville Board of Education was out of line in extending the superintendent's contract at a salary of $140,000 per year, a comparison of other, similar size districts in Nassau County provides a much needed "reality check." The superintendent of the Farmingdale school district is paid $150,000 per year; Plainview - $146,000; Port Washington - $149,000; Baldwin - $140,000, and Syosset - $163,000. Please note that these figures reflect last year's salaries and do not include increases being given this year, some of which are quite substantial. It is also not unheard of for other districts to offer their superintendents "perks" - such as a car or apartment. Should a district decide not to renew the superintendent's contract, the search for a new superintendent will cost them approximately $10,000 to $15,000.

For anyone who thinks that the Hicksville School District is being extravagant, rather than practical and appropriate in what it pays its superintendent, I hope that this sets the record straight.

Terrie Perkowski