School Board Votes to Cut Superintendent's Salary

The Parsippany-Troy Hills Board of Education voted 8-1 to cut the salary of Superintendent LeRoy Seitz by $43,000. The move was made under threat by the state, which threatened to take back up to $3.6 million in aid to schools if the board did not comply with the salary cap instituted by Gov. Chris Christie last February.

In passing a resolution drafted by Board Attorney Mark Tabakin, the board reduced Seitz's salary to $177,500 effective immediately and direct the interim business administrator to take "whatever actions necessary to effectuate the immediate reduction."

Additionally, the board directed Tabakin to forward a new contract for Seitz to County Executive Superintendent Kathleen Serafino for her review and written approval. Once the pact has Serafino's okay, the resolution called for it to be presented to Seitz for his consideration.

The superintendent could approve the pact or reject it and leave the position. He could also sue the district for breach of contract.

The lone dissenting vote Thursday evening came from former board President Anthony Mancuso, who stated publicly that he believed the matter should have been settled through negotiation.

The controversy over the Seitz contract, approved by the board in November 2010, began during Mancuso's term as president. When the pact, which paid the superintendent $220,565 for the 2011-12 school year, was passed, it was after Gov. Chris Christie announced his intention to impose a cap on superintendent salaries, but before the cap took effect in February 2011. Under the restriction, Seitz would be eligible to receive a maximum of $175,000 annually plus a stipend for the township high schools. 

The Mancuso-led board defended the contract when Gov. Christie derided the board and Seitz for circumventing the cap. Ultimately, County Executive Superintendent Kathleen Serafino ordered the salary reduced back to the previous contract amount of $212,500. In answer, the school board sued the state and Serafino. That case was dismissed by the state appellate court. 

During public comments, citizens spoke for and against Seitz and the contract.

"Why are we to believe that tonight you will actually do what you say you will do?" aske former BOE member Robert Crawford, alluding to the July 11 board vote to rescind, a move also made under threat which was not followed through. That inaction led to the most recent threat from the state. "Why should we trust you now? How are we going to know you're going to do it? ... Are you confident that the controls are in place to ensure this doesn't happen again?"

"There are internal controls being instituted so that the board will know," replied Board President Frank Calabria.

Township resident George Blair defended the superintendent.

"In my entire life I've never worried about how much someone makes. I know if someone took 40-some thousand dollars out of my salary, I'd be really mad," he said. "We moved here becaue we were under the impression that this was an outstanding school system. ... Why would we not want to pay someone who leads this kind of environment what they require? I've seen him in action and I think he's outstanding. Keep your head up, Dr. Seitz, and don't leave us. We need you and hopefully you'll stay here as long as you want."

In answer to a question from Parsippany resident Pat Petaccia, Calabria said details of how the body would "effectuate the immediate reduction" of Seitz's salary will be discussed at the next school board meeting, which will be held Tuesday, Nov. 8.

After the meeting, board members said it was difficult operating under "constant threats" from the state.

"I raised my children telling them that mutual respect and communication is how our country works," said board member Debbie Orme. "Apparently that is not the case in terms of dealing with the powers that be."

When the county executive superintendent had communicated anger in a letter dated Aug. 5 over not receiving a contract to replace the rescinded, Tabakin sent replies on four separate occasions asking for clarification. Serafino's answer was an Oct. 26 letter threatening the possible loss of state school aid.

Board Co-Vice President Frank Neglia agreed that the threats made the members' work difficult and he said the threats were unnecessary.

"I believe in sitting around a table to hash things out," added Co-Vice President Frank Neglia. It's not that diffucult; we're adults."