|
|
Severance is golden — Saffer pension could rival Brande's
Current Comsewogue super also Tier 1 employee; over 20 years as administrator in district
|
The state's routine audit of the Comsewogue School District, when it was announced last month, made Long Island headlines because of the lofty "separation payments" received by former superintendent Phil Brande, who retired in 2006 with the second highest pension in the New York State Teachers' Retirement System.
And while new-hire educators and administrators typically no longer receive those kinds of benefits, current Comsewogue Superintendent Shelly Saffer said recently her contract contains provisions similar to those Brande had — provisions described as "unusual" by the state comptroller's office in the audit. Those provisions in Brande's case increased his separation payment to about four times the average in comparable districts, according to the state comptroller.
But Saffer, who said she was sensitive to people struggling in this economy, maintained such contract provisions were normal for Tier 1 employees, that is, those who began their careers prior to 1971. Such benefits were used to attract persons to the teaching field, said Saffer, who recalled earning an annual salary of $6,700 when she began teaching in 1967. Today, as superintendent, she earns a salary of $227,000. It is likely Saffer's separation payment could top Brande's. Saffer said she loves her job and is not ready to retire, but when she does she "would expect" the school board to honor its "contractual obligations."
BOE President Bill Hinrichs confirmed Saffer's was the last contract to have provisions similar to Brande's deal. Referring to Brande's contract, Hinrichs Monday said, "This board didn't approve those obligations," but was legally bound to honor them or be sued. The board would also honor its obligations with regard to Saffer, Hinrichs said, "We have no choice."
But the board president took issue with the audit's characterization, saying the provisions are unusual only by today's standards and called it "political hay." "[State Comptroller Tom] DiNapoli wants to make points by beating up on another school district," Hinrichs said.
Today only Saffer has a car allowance, Hinrichs said, other district personnel are reimbursed for mileage according to the IRS schedule. And while nobody hired after 1992 gets a payment at retirement to purchase a life insurance policy — a perk that in Brande's case cost the district $244,000 — Saffer does have such a provision in her contract.
| |
|
|
|
| |
Copyright 2010
(631) 751-7744 | news@tbrnewspapers.com | www.northshoreoflongisland.com | About |
|
| |
|
