New Administration Contracts Announced at BOE Meeting

The Massapequa Board of Education announced new contracts for Superintendent Charles Sulc, and also agreed to a new three-year agreement with other administrators that includes a one year salary freeze.

Sulc extended his contract and will be with the district another three years, it was announced at Thursday night's board meeting . He will be taking a pay freeze next year, which will be the second year in a row he has done so. His salary for the other two years will be determined at a later date, officials said.

The superintendent will be paying 20 percent towards his health insurance, and will also receive an increase of $5000 towards his annuity, which he won’t receive until his retirement.

“I just want to thank the board for their support for what I believe has become a stronger and stronger program,” he said.

Other employees contracts were also discussed. Principals, executive assistants, as well as employees in the central office, have agreed to  a new three year contract.

“I think we have reached a very fair settlement. We do appreciate their long hours, their dedication to our students,” outgoing Board of Education President Christine Perrino said.

During the first year of the contract, 2011-2012, the administrators and employees will receive their regular salary increments, with no base salary increase, and also supplemental dollars. The second year, 2012-2013, they will all be under a hard pay freeze, with no increase whatsoever. The third year, 2013-2014, will include a one percent increase in salary with their regular increment, as well as supplemental dollars.

Chairpersons and supervisors have agreed on the same pay contract through the 2012-2013 school year, however they are not allowed to extend their contract into the third year.

“Mindful of  [Gov. cuomo's proposed] tax cap...we were able to realize a settlement that we believe is probably the lowest administration settlement in the county,” Sulc said.

In other news discussed, a memorial for September 11 will be erected in front of the high school using an artifact donated by the World Trade Center Artifacts Program, the Port Authority of NY and NJ. The artifact being donated is a piece of steel approximately 12 feet long.

“Over the next week or so, we will determine and finalize a design for that memorial,” Deputy Superintendent Alan Adcock said.

Also discussed was the district's plan to slowly move away from paper and pencil New York State assessment tests. During the 2010-2011 school year, students have been piloting an online assessment program. Next year three more schools in the district will be subscribing to the program.

A few district employees will be leaving at the end of the school year. Connie LaBozza, an attendance monitor for 44 years, and Carol Klarikaitis, third grade Birch Lane teacher since 1995, will both be retiring.

Dr. James Grossane will leave his position as Assistant to the Superintendent to become the Superintendent of Levittown.

“I have truly loved everyday I’ve worked here in Massapequa,” he said.

At the start of the meeting, LOTE (language other than English) students received national recognition through certificates for their scholarly efforts.

Lastly, this was BOE President Christine Perrino’s last meeting on the Board of Education, leaving her seat to newly elected board member Gary Bennett.

“I really love the children of Massapequa,” she said. “I can assure you that I’m not going anyway, I’m going to be a Massapequan for a very long time.”