CHARLES, Mo. – We have to wonder how administrators from the Francis Howell, Missouri school district felt in December of 2016, when school board members discussed cutting $1.3 million from student programs to help eliminate a potential budget deficit.

Among the potential cuts were student extracurricular activities, security personnel, and teacher training, according to a report published by StlToday.com.

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There was also talk of cutting bus transportation for some students, and converting to a four-day school week, the news story said.

The cost-cutting discussion began after district voters rejected a proposed property tax increase.

About a year earlier, the board voted to eliminate 80 jobs – about half of them teaching positions- to save money.

It seems like the $1.3 million in targeted savings, or at least a big chunk of it, could have been gained by turning the budget ax on district administrators, rather than students.

In fiscal year 2016-17, 90 administrators in the Francis Howell School District made a combined $12,988,711.01 in base salary, benefits and pension contributions, according to information provided by the district through a freedom of information request.

That comes out to an average of $144,319.01 per administrator.

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The group made a combined base salary of $10,334,447.94, which breaks down to an average of $114,827.19 per employee.

Sixty-eight of those administrators made at least $100,000 in base salary. Those in the six-figure club were paid a combined $8,405,583.84, for an average of $123,611.53 per employee.

Eighty-nine of those administrators received a combined $810,938.38 in health benefits, for an average of $9,111.67 per employee. And the district paid out $1,843,324.69 in retirement contributions on behalf of all 90 of those employees (as well as assorted other benefits), for an average of $20,481.39 per employee.

The biggest bucks, of course, went to the people at the very top.

The superintendent made a base salary of $209,192, health coverage worth $18,261.62, and retirement and other benefits worth $43,316.52. His total compensation package came to $269,770.22.

Just below the superintendent were four chief officers, who cost the district a combined $797,543.15 in total compensation.

There were also 10 directors costing the district between $123,466.88 and $161,772.82 in total compensation, as well as eight managers who each cost between $87,672.58 and $131,058.09.

There were also 23 principals (all but two making at least $100,000 in base salary), who each ranged between $114,746.63 and $175,657.58 in total compensation.

Finally, there were 37 assistant principals (all but nine making at least $100,000 in base salary) who each cost the district somewhere between $119,541.83 and $154,988.14.

School officials would undoubtedly argue that all of the administrators are quality employees who play big roles, and quality administrators cost a lot of money.

But when a district reaches the point where it’s laying off teachers and talking about cutting student programs and security personnel, it would seem reasonable to take a close look at what could be trimmed from the high end of the salary chart.