The Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education
Salary for Acting Commissioner
With the untimely passing of Commissioner Chester, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education voted on June 27, 2017 to appoint Deputy Commissioner Jeff Wulfson as Acting Commissioner, effective as of June 27, 2017. Under Mass. General Laws chapter 15, section 1F, "the commissioner shall receive a salary to be set by the board."
Commissioner Chester's salary in FY2017, as set by the Board, was approximately $238,208, based on his years of service in the position, successive outstanding performance evaluations by the Board, and benchmark percentage increases set by the Commonwealth for agency managers. The current salary for the Deputy Commissioner is $168,025. Based on the significant responsibilities that Jeff Wulfson has assumed as Acting Commissioner, and in light of the high ratings of performance he has received as Deputy Commissioner, I am recommending that the Board approve a ten percent increase for him and set his salary at an annual rate of $184,827.50, effective June 27, 2017 and continuing until he concludes his service as Acting Commissioner. A motion to that effect is attached.