County Superintendent Approves District Budget

County Superintendent of Schools Kathleen Serafino on Thursday approved Parsippany's $129.8 million district budget hours after the board voted unanimously to .

After initially threatening to reject the budget if the Seitz contract isn't rescinded, she commended the board in a letter. "It is evident that the budget reflects the careful consideration of the board and administrators. The district's educational program was preserved and the tax levy increase was minimal.''

The state cap for administrative salaries in districts the size of Parsippany is $175,000. In the budget, the line item for Seitz's salary is $204,125, adding $2,5,00 permitted under state rules for districts containing a high school and a 15 percent merit increase, totalling $26,625.

Because Seitz's 2011-12 salary is $220,000 under his contract, the board will keep $16,000 in a reserve fund pending the outcome of litigation. The board has sued the state, alleging that the contract had the verbal approval of Serafino when it was approved in November. Serafino contends the contract is invalid because it lacked her signature.

Patch will write more on this story as it develops.