Schools

Seitz Still Being Paid Under Disputed Contract

BOE rescinded the cap-busting contract to avoid punishment in June, but pact is still being honored.

Despite rescinding the , the Parsippany has continued to honor the disputed pact with .

Through an Open Public Records Act request, Patch has discovered that the and Seitz is currently earning $220,565.

Board Attorney Mark Tabakin confirmed the information at the Tuesday night Board of Education meeting at .

Find out what's happening in Parsippanywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

In June, the Board of Education voted to rescind the agreement it made with Seitz a year ago. This contract paid the superintendent far in excess of a .

When the board tried to stand by the pact—even going so far as to —it only found trouble. Christie labeled Seitz the "poster boy for greed." Kathleen Serafino, the county executive superintendent of schools, threatened a if the contract wasn't rescinded.

Find out what's happening in Parsippanywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Tabakin admitted Tuesday night that the supposedly voided pact was in use and noted that Seitz's salary was the stated $220,565. Asked whether he thought the contract rescinded in June was legal and valid, the lawyer said, "no."

Tabakin also told the audience that Seitz filed a legal action against the board and the county executive superintendent before the commissioner of education "weeks ago." The superintendent's suit seeks to defend the rescinded contract.

This came as news to board Co-Vice President Susy Golderer.

"It comes as a complete surprise to me that we're in litigation," she said, adding that she was disappointed that board members were not informed.

Tabakin replied that he informed the board secretary and president, as is his responsibility, and that he gave board members information on the options available to them after Serafino threatened the board in June.

Additionally, Tabakin said he has sent four letters since the rescinding asking Serafino for guidance on how to proceed in the Seitz matter. All four, he said, went unanswered.

"Right now, I am preparing the board's answer to Dr. Seitz's case and we will move forward from there," Tabakin said. 

Tabakin estimated "$15,000 and change" has been spent so far on litigation for this issue.

"Going forward, I don't know," he said.

Seitz refused comment on the matter.

Board President Frank Calabria is on vacation and unavailable for comment.

County Executive Superintendent Serafino could not be reached for comment.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here