SCHOOL BOARD SET TO GIVE SUPERINTENDENT HEALTH INSURANCE NOT IN HIS CONTRACT

The Board of Education is set to approve a change in Superintendent John Ramos' contract that will have the district providing health insurance for him and his wife, a provision that was not in the contract he signed earlier this year.

Section 10 of his contract signed in April clearly says that "health insurance will not be provided to the Superintendent by the Board." 

But the contract addendum up for approval on Monday states: "there has been a change in the Superintendent’s personal circumstances which necessitates that he receive health insurance coverage through the Board."

The resolution approving the contract change does not indicate what the personal circumstances are or what it will cost the district. 

It is believed that Ramos did not previously seek health insurance from the district because his 2011 separation agreement from a previous position in Bridgeport, Ct., included health insurance through age 65 for Ramos and his wife. He was 59 at the time of the agreement.

See the resolution and the addendum below:

ADDENDUM TO EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT

            This Addendum to Employment Contract is made this 21st day of September, 2015, by and between the Board of Education of the South-Orange Maplewood Public School District

(hereinafter the “Board”) and Superintendent of Schools, Dr. John Ramos (hereinafter the

“Superintendent’).

            WHEREAS, the Board and Superintendent are parties to an Employment Contract dated

April 9, 2015 with a term running until June 30, 2020;  

            WHEREAS, Section 10. of the Employment Contract states that health insurance will not be provided to the Superintendent by the Board; 

            WHEREAS, there has been a change in the Superintendent’s personal circumstances which necessitates that he receive health insurance coverage through the Board;

            WHEREAS, in consideration of the Superintendent’s provision of services under the

Employment Contract and in consideration of his change in circumstances;   

   NOW THEREFORE, the Board and Superintendent have agreed to an Addendum to the

Employment Contract to reflect the provision of health insurance benefits, subject to approval by the Executive County Superintendent.

1.  The parties hereby agree that Section 10. of the Employment Contract shall be replaced and shall state as follows:

10.    HEALTH INSURANCE

The Board shall provide the Superintendent with the same health benefits and dental coverage as the other certificated administrators in the district.  Subject to the

Superintendent’s contribution towards health benefits in accordance with state law and as agreed below, the Board will pay 100% of the premium for NJ Direct 15 of the School Employees Health Benefit Plan, or equal plan.  The Superintendent may purchase, at his own expense, a more expensive plan offered to District employees through  the NJ School Employees Health Benefits Plan , or other benefits provider chosen by the Board.  The Board reserves the right to transfer any of the insurance coverage to other insurance companies as deemed in the best interest of the District. 

 

Pursuant to law, a percentage of premium, but not less than 1.5% of the Superintendent’s base salary, shall be deducted from his salary via payroll deduction to offset the cost of health benefits. The contribution percentage shall be no less than the negotiated percentage of the Association of Supervisors, Coordinators and Administrators (ASCA) Agreement. Should state law governing employee contributions to health benefits change prior to the expiration of this Employment Contract, the Board shall meet with the Superintendent to discuss the impact of such change.  In the event an excise tax pursuant to the Affordable Care Act is imposed upon the District during the term of this

1

Employment Contract, the financial burdens of such a tax shall be addressed in the same manner as the negotiated ASCA Agreement.

2.  This Addendum shall become effective immediately following: (a) the approval by the Executive County Superintendent; and (b) the approval of the Board.   

  

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have indicated their agreement to the foregoing by executing this Addendum on the date indicated above.

SCHOOL DISTRICT OF SOUTH ORANGE AND MAPLEWOOD, NEW JERSEY

PUBLIC BOARD MEETING

September 21, 2015

  

FOR ACTION

RESOLUTION NO.           3323

SUBJECT:     APPROVE AMENDMENT TO SUPERINTENDENT’S CONTRACT  

BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education approves an amendment to the contract between Superintendent Dr. John J. Ramos, Sr. and the Board of Education, which was approved on April 21, 2015.  The amendment is to include the provision of health benefits. 

IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT Mr. Joseph Zarra, Executive County Superintendent for Essex County, has reviewed and approved the Amendment; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the President of the Board of Education is authorized to execute the Amendment with Dr. Ramos on the Board’s behalf.

BACKGROUND

This amendment includes the provision of health benefits to the contract already approved on April 21, 2015.  

Monday's board meeting is set for 7:30 p.m. at the board offices, 525 Academy Street.