New Jersey is certainly no stranger to contractual disagreements. This is true for both the private sector as well as the public sector. One contractual defense case that is getting some press of late involves the Parsippany School District's disputed contract with Superintendent LeRoy Seitz.
In an odd twist of contractual enforcement, the Morris County Executive Superintendent sent a letter to the district in which she threatens the loss of millions in state school aid if Seitz's contract is not reduced to meet Governor Chris Christie's salary cap for school administrators. The school board plans to meet in a special school board meeting to discuss the matter and decide how it will proceed. At issue is the news that Seitz was still being paid under a contract the board voted to rescind last July. That contract agreement paid Seitz $220,565 for the year which is above Christie's cap.
The Morris County Executive Superintendent's letter demanded that the school submit a new contract that pays Seitz $177,500. It also demanded that the board submit monthly reports showing that the order is being followed. In addition, she wants the board to use additional monies earmarked to pay the superintendent for curriculum and instruction expenses. In the event the board does not comply, the state will take back as much as $3.6 million in aid for Parsippany schools.
While the issues surrounding this particular contractual enforcement threat appear to be sorted out, this story illustrates how complex the issue of contractual defense can be. New Jersey residents who are facing their own types of contract agreements may wish to consult with an experienced attorney as part of the process. A consultation with a contract lawyer may result in less cost overall as well as fewer problems in the long run.
Source: The Parsippany Patch, " Calabria: Seitz Contract Overshadows Education," Natalie Davis, Oct. 28, 2011