How much do our local school superintendents earn? Newly released state data provides a detailed look at the compensation for Atlantic County's top educational leaders during the 2025-26 school year, revealing a wide range of salaries and per-student costs across our districts.
Leading the list is Kimberly Gruccio of Egg Harbor Township School District, who earned a base salary of $233,765. Her district serves the largest student population in the county—7,400 students—which translates to approximately $31.59 per student. This puts her compensation in perspective: while she holds the highest salary locally, the per-student cost is among the lowest on the list.
The data, compiled from the New Jersey Department of Education's 2025-26 User Friendly Budget administrative salaries and benefits file, also shows how our county's superintendents compare statewide. Gruccio ranks 113th among all New Jersey superintendents, while the tenth-highest paid administrator in Atlantic County ranks 374th statewide.
Per-Student Costs Tell a Different Story
When examining salary relative to student enrollment, the picture shifts considerably. Mark Marrone, superintendent of Mainland Regional High School District, earned $199,225—the fifth-highest salary in the county. However, with just 1,150 students in his district, his compensation breaks down to $173.23 per student, the highest per-student rate among the top ten.
This disparity highlights the challenge smaller districts face in attracting experienced leadership while managing limited budgets and student populations.
Complete Rankings for Atlantic County
Here's how the top ten superintendent salaries ranked for the 2025-26 school year:
1. Kimberly Gruccio, Egg Harbor Township School District: $233,765 (113th statewide)
2. La'quetta Small, Atlantic City Public Schools: $226,147 (141st statewide)
3. Philip Guenther, Atlantic County Vocational School District: $220,245 (179th statewide)
4. Marilyn Martinez, Pleasantville Public Schools: $200,000 (291st statewide) — no longer employed by the district
5. Mark Marrone, Mainland Regional High School District: $199,225 (293rd statewide)
6. James Reina, Greater Egg Harbor Regional High School District: $192,700 (316th statewide)
7. Jeffrey Zito, Hamilton Township Public Schools: $191,580 (323rd statewide)
8. Stephen Santilli, Galloway Township Public Schools: $190,962 (330th statewide)
9. Thomas Ramsay, Hammonton Public Schools: $188,000 (343rd statewide)
10. David Cappuccio Jr., Buena Regional School District: $180,685 (374th statewide) — no longer employed by the district
It's important to note that these figures represent base salaries from the previous school year, and some administrators have since moved to other positions or districts. The data provides a snapshot of educational leadership compensation across our community and offers transparency into how taxpayer dollars support district administration.
As our school districts continue to navigate budget challenges and evolving educational needs, understanding these compensation structures helps our community engage in informed discussions about educational priorities and resource allocation.
About the Author
Karen Johnson
With over 30 years of news experience in major markets like Los Angeles, Denver, and Columbus, Karen now covers our area for South Jersey NewsBeat. She also brings her articulate and conversational news delivery to WOND radio listeners every weekday. Her background includes work with the NBC Radio Network, and she thrives in fast-paced news environments.
