Senator Saland Announces Senate Passage Of His Bill Dealing With School Superintendent Contracts

Senator Steve Saland (R,I,C Poughkeepsie) today announced that his bill dealing with contract terminations for school superintendents has passed the Senate.

When a school superintendent leaves employment before the end of his or her contract, Senate Bill 1094 would authorize a board of education to negotiate a compensation agreement on the unserved portion of the contract as long as it does not exceed 25% of the average annual compensation provided for in the contract. It also requires public disclosure when termination negotiations commence and prohibits buyouts when a contract is terminated for reasons other than just cause.

"In recent years there have been at least nine cases across New York, including one in the City of Poughkeepsie, where a school superintendent has left their position before their contract expired, with a large buyout and with little or no explanation of the details to the public," said Senator Saland. "The public has been justifiably outraged at these large buyouts when there is no public scrutiny. Given that school budgets are increasing every year, school property tax payers have a right to know about agreements which will cost a school district more than they had budgeted. This bill will provide more transparency when a school superintendent’s contract ends prematurely," Saland continued.

The bill has been sent to the Assembly.