Terms set for Marlboro administrators' contracts
BY REBECCA MORTON Staff Writer

MARLBORO — No members of the public offered an opinion in regard to contract renewals with Marlboro K-8 School District administrators at the Board of Education's July 15 meeting.

On Aug. 19 the board members will vote on contracts for Superintendent of Schools David Abbott, Assistant Superintendent Marc Gaswirth and Business Administrator/Board Secretary Cindy Barr-Rague.

A public session was held during the board's July 15 meeting in order to give Marlboro residents a chance to voice any opinions they might have about those administrators. No one came forward to address the board.

Upon retirement from the school district, all three administrators must be eligible for, apply for and immediately receive TPAF (Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund) pension benefits to receive payment for any unused sick leave. The maximum amount allowed is $15,000.

According to the terms and conditions of his contract, Abbott will continue to serve as superintendent from July 1, 2009, until June 30, 2012. For the 2009-10 school year Abbott's salary will be $186,414; his salary will increase to $193,870 for the 2010-11 school year, and it will increase to $201,625 for the 2011-12 school year. Abbott will receive $2,500 in longevity pay each year.

The superintendent will have 13 sick days for the first two years of the new contract and 14 sick days for the 2011- 12 school year.

The district will pay 85 percent of the cost of coverage for full family medical, dental and prescription benefits annually. Abbott will be responsible for 15 percent of the costs. Also included in the terms and conditions is the district's payment of annual costs for memberships in associations such as the New Jersey Association of School Administrators.

In terms of job-related expenses, the superintendent will receive a monthly payment of $200 as compensation for expenses incurred for sustenance, travel and use of his personal cell phone. The district will provide Abbott with a laptop computer and a personal digital assistant with Internet service.

A maximum of $5,000 will be available for reimbursable convention expenses and tuition. A total of 35 days per year for absences, of which 10 days must be used for convention attendance, is allowed. Vacation days are limited to 20 days. Carry-over of vacation days is permitted to a maximum of 23 days. The maximum number of days the superintendent shall be paid at retirement cannot exceed yearly allocation plus maximum carry-over amount.

Gaswirth's current contract will run from July 1, 2008, until June 30, 2009, with a salary of $160,425. The assistant superintendent receives $1,200 for longevity pay.

The school district will provide full family coverage for medical, dental and prescription coverage. The contract states that Gaswirth will pay 1 percent of his salary for dependent coverage.

Also indicated in the terms and conditions is the payment by the district for professional association fees.

Gaswirth will receive a monthly payment of $125 as compensation for expenses incurred for sustenance, travel and use of his personal cell phone. Reimbursable convention expenses and tuition available to Gaswirth during the year will not exceed $5,000. Five personal days, which are not cumulative, and 20 vacations days are available, with Gaswirth being able to carry over 10 vacation days.

Barr-Rague's current contract will run from July 1, 2008, to June 30, 2009, in the amount of $149,200. Barr-Rague will receive $1,200 in longevity pay. The district will also provide her with full family coverage for medical, dental and prescription coverage, with Barr-Rague paying 1 percent of her salary for dependent coverage.

The district will pay for fees for associations such as the New Jersey Association of School Business Officials for Barr-Rague. She will also receive a monthly payment of $150 as compensation for expenses incurred for sustenance, travel and use of a personal cell phone.

Barr-Rague will also have a $5,000 limit for reimbursable convention expenses and tuition costs. She will have five personal days and 20 vacation days, with 10 days carry-over permitted.