NJ Assembly: Superintendents, Stop Stealing Money Meant for Classroom

The NJ Assembly finally came to a conclusion yesterday that absurd payouts to departing superintendents in NJ will end.  The Assembly decided that an end to generous severance packages for outgoing superintendents was needed, and a $30,000 cap on payouts for unused sick and vacation time was more than enough money.

 

The bill was crafted after news broke that retiring Keansburg superintendent Barbara Trzeszkowski was to receive $184,586 for unused sick and vacation days and $556,290 more as a retirement bonus calculated by multiplying her current monthly salary by the 38 years she worked in the district.  This ¾ of a million dollars was on top of the $150,000 a year that Trzeszkowski will receive as her pension. 

 

The bill, which passed the Assembly by an overwhelming 76-4 majority, is just the first step in stopping unnecessary funding.  Schools in NJ often complain that after-school programs, specialty classes, and other school affairs are cancelled due to a lack of funding.  Now it is quite apparent where all of the funding for after-school programs was headed, into the pockets of “Some school superintendents…mistaken view that money meant for the classroom would be better spent financing their personal diamond-encrusted, taxpayer-provided nest eggs,” as state assemblyman Joseph Cryan said. Star Ledger Article