CRYAN BILL TO PROHIBIT EXORBITANT FAREWELL PERKS FOR SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS CLEARS SENATE

CRYAN BILL TO PROHIBIT EXORBITANT FAREWELL PERKS FOR SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS CLEARS SENATE

(TRENTON) – The Senate today gave final approval to legislation Assemblyman Joseph Cryan sponsored to derail the “gravy train” that has allowed some departing school superintendents to provide themselves with over-the-top severance packages.

Under Cryan’s legislation (A-2975), school superintendents leaving their jobs – whether by retirement or other means – would be prohibited from earning any payment except for legally allowable buy-backs of unused sick leave and vacation time.

“Some school superintendents have taken the mistaken view that money meant for the classroom would be better spent financing their personal diamond-encrusted, taxpayer-provided nest eggs,” said Cryan (D-Union). “The residents of New Jersey are rightfully outraged at seeing their tax dollars used to provide departing superintendents with these offensive payouts.”

The measure stems from the case of retiring Keansburg schools chief Barbara Trzeszkowski, who was supposed to be paid a $556,290 retirement bonus calculated by multiplying her current monthly salary by the more than 38 years of service in the district on top of $184,586 for more than 250 unused sick and vacation days.

State officials currently are seeking to have those payouts blocked by the courts.

If enacted, severance payouts would be limited to the statutorily allowable $15,000 maximum for each unused sick and accrued vacation time.

The Cryan legislation would be effective immediately upon enactment and would be applicable to both future and current contracts.

“These outrageous payments must stop immediately, with no ifs, ands, or buts,” said Cryan.

The measure now heads to the governor, who may sign it, veto it,or modify it in the form of a conditional veto.