Bergen Record: New White Plains Superintendent-Select Leaves New Jersey Because of Christie Cap on Superintendents’ Salaries

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WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. December 20, 2014:

Dr. Paul R. Fried, the man named by the White Plains City School District Thursday as their choice to head the White Plains Schools beginning in July 2015 (one day after he resigned as the Montville Township Superintendency) is one of a number of School Superintendents who are leaving New Jersey because of Governor Chris Christie’s enactment of a cap on Supertintendents of Schools salaries in New Jersey enacted in 2013.

The Bergen Record reported Wednesday that New Jersey caps Superintendent of Schools salaries at $165,000 in districts ranging from 3,001 to 6,500 students. Fried, The Record observed, faced a 30% cut in pay from his present Montville salary of $237,707, (if The Record is correct), dropping him $71,312 to approximately $166,395, less than the $211,200 he started at in Montville five years ago.

Previously, Dr. Fried retired from Mamaroneck Larchmont School District post as Superintendent after a career in education in New York encompassing the Ossining school district, where he was an elementary school principal and Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Education.

The Journal News reported that Fried recives a pension from New York State based on his retirement from the Mamaroneck school district in 2010 of over $200,000 which will he will continue to receive in addition to whatever contract White Plains shapes with him.

Should the White Plains City School District approve a contract in January Dr. Fried will be the second retiree the district has hired as its Superintendent. Timothy Connors was also a retired Superintendent from Danbury,Connecticut.

The Larchmont Gazette‘s Judy Silverstein reported in 2010 the year Dr. Fried retired from Mamaroneck district, that the Mamaroneck schools issued this statement,

“Under Dr.Fried’s Leadership, Mamaroneck soared to new heights. For the first time, the District has developed a system for setting measurable goals for all key area of work,including student learning, which has evolved progress to be made in the areas of curriculum consistency and development. A structure now in place creates a highly organized process for teacher goal setting, observation and evaluation, and raises expectations and support for quality teaching. Additionally the district has significantly and positively charged its relationship with the Mamaroneck Teachers Association..he has paid special interest to early learning and intervention…technology–bringing the district to the 21st centruy with updated financial, student databases and communicators systems.”

The Record, on December 17, quoted Dr. Fried from his letter of resignation, delivered Wednesday to the Montville District: ““It is with sadness that I submit this letter of resignation,” Fried wrote. “The board, staff, students and community are aware of the unfortunate reasons behind my decision. It’s about the salary cap. I really enjoy Montville Township. It’s my fifth year here, and it’s been a wonderful experience.”

The Record reported Fried is at the close of a 5 year contract with Montville that would pay him $237,707 this year. He began, The Record reported, in 2010-11 at $211,200.

Karen Cortellino, the President of the Montville Township Board of Education is quoted by The Record on Dr. Fried’s performance: “Fried has done an incredible job for our district. Our schools and our community are enriched by having known and worked with such a talented and thoughtful educator.”

The complete Record article on the reasons for Fried’s departure may be viewed at

http://www.dailyrecord.com/story/news/local/2014/12/17/montville-school-superintendent-resigning-blames-salary-cap/20555761/

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