SCHOOL BOARD CUTS $740-PER-DAY CONSULTING DEAL WITH OSBORNE, HIRES SEARCH FIRM

Although Superintendent Brian Osborne will leave his post as superintendent on June 30, replaced temporarily by Assistant Superintendent James Memoli, he may still be paid by the school board, to the tune of $740 per day.

Under an arrangement to help ease the transition, the school board on Monday approved an arrangement in which Osborne would be on retainer for consulting service during July at a rate of $750 per day. The fee would only be paid if and when Osborne is needed by the district.

The resolution approved by the board states:

SCHOOL DISTRICT OF SOUTH ORANGE AND MAPLEWOOD, NEW JERSEY
PUBLIC BOARD MEETING
June 16, 2014

RESOLUTION 3164AM

FOR ACTION

SUBJECT: APPROVE TRANSITION CONSULTANT AGREEMENT

BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education approves a superintendent transition consultant agreement with Brian Osborne for the period of July 1 through July 31, 2014, at a rate of $740 per day, as needed.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Board President, Superintendent and Board Secretary are authorized to execute and deliver any necessary contracts and reports on behalf of the Board.


BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The Board and Dr. Osborne agree that at certain times during the month of July, the Board may need to consult with Dr. Osborne as it transitions to an Acting and/or Interim Superintendent of Schools.

Asked to comment on the deal, School Board President Beth Daugherty sent us this email:

"A 30 day notification period for a superintendent leaving is very short. The transition consultant arrangement gives us the ability to hire Dr. Osborne on an as needed, per diem basis during the month of July.  There are no minimum days specified.  

The $740 per diem amount was determined by dividing the superintendent capped salary for our district ($177,500) by 240 days.  240 is the standard number of days used for a 12 month employee."

The board also approved hiring an Illinois firm, Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates, to conduct the search for a new superintendent at a fee of $21,500, "plus related expenses."