NEW CASTLE Retirement plan gets board's OK

The retirement package for the superintendent is generous.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR NEW CASTLE BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- The school board is officially looking for a new superintendent.
Board members approved an unexpected retirement agreement with Superintendent Joseph Martin at Wednesday's meeting.
Martin, 59, spent his 371/2-year career in the New Castle district and has been superintendent for the last 23 years.
"I've worked 371/2 years and it's time for me to pass the torch to someone else who will have a lot of energy to run a district of this nature," Martin said after the board meeting.
Board and audience members wished Martin well on his retirement.
Vote on agreement
Board members voted 7-1 to accept Martin's retirement agreement. Andrea Przybylski voted no, saying she didn't think the district could afford the agreement. Board member Larry Nord was absent.
Martin said his retirement was part of a mutual agreement between himself and the board, and the eliminating of his salary is expected to save the district about $500,000 over the next five years.
As part of his retirement package, he will be paid $171,142 over five years. He said that represents half of his salary for the remaining three years of his contract.
Martin will also get a $30,000 retirement bonus available to all retiring administrators in the district, which also will be paid over the next five years, pay for unused sick days, and health benefits until age 65.
The board agreed to make those payments to Martin's heirs if he dies before the five-year period ends.
Official date
He will start receiving these retirement payments when he officially retires on July 1. Martin will remain working until Jan. 21 and then take a sabbatical leave of absence until his formal retirement. He will remain on as an unpaid consultant for the high school building project until his sabbatical ends.
George Gabriel, who is now administrative assistant to the superintendent, was named substitute superintendent until a permanent replacement is found. Gabriel's regular salary of $80,619 will not change, Martin said.
The board has agreed to eliminate one administrative position, likely the job now held by Martin's permanent successor, who will come from within the district in another money-saving effort.
The district had a $1 million budget shortfall this school year and is facing another deficit next year.
A state report issued earlier this year recommended the district eliminate one administrative position to save money, Martin said.
Martin said he has advised school board members to name his successor soon to give the district time to adjust to the change.
He said there are six people who hold superintendent credentials in the district and all will be formally notified today by letter of the vacancy.