When Walters ordered the foundation to propose a “plan of action” to cut salary overhead, the foundation responded with a report arguing that Schlosser’s salary and benefits are within the range of those paid to CEOs of similarly sized nonprofits. The 2009 report was done by Compensation Resources of Upper Saddle River, N.J.

Walters disagrees and says Schossler’s bottom line reveals a “disparity” compared to other non-profits that provide similar services for the state.

“There is no way that over the past couple of years you can have the level of executive compensation rise without seeing a reduction in services,” Walters said in an interview.

Walters has directed the state agency to retool how it works. A big part of that exercise, called the “Roadmap to System Excellence,” is a review of contracts with private vendors, which make up about two-thirds of the agency’s budget.

In the Roadmap plan, Walters proposes ending contracts for aftercare services with vendors like the White Foundation and replace them with state oversight by juvenile probation officers, which she says will save nearly $12 million.

Schossler says that would be a serious mistake and a step backward to the days when juvenile justice was mostly about protecting state jobs.

“This is a hell of a way to do business, throwing me under the bus,” Schossler said of Walters’ criticism.

The foundation opposes the elimination of its funding under Walters’ reorganization proposal.

For now, Schossler makes no apologies for his pay and benefits package.

“If there’s something wrong here, I’m sure my board will fix it, but there’s nothing wrong here,” Schossler said. “If anything, my board thinks I’m underpaid.”

Times researcher Caryn Baird contributed to this report. Contact Steve Bousquet at bousquet@tampabay.com or 850-224-7263.