Board freezes payment to former schools chief
Administration wants to review resigned official's personal day claims
BY JENNIFER AMATO
Staff Writer

Geri Margin

NORTH BRUNSWICK - The Board of Education has denied the reimbursement of vacation and sick days to Geri Margin, the former assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction who resigned effective Tuesday.

At a school board meeting July 24, a listed agenda item reported that Margin is due 22 vacation days at a rate of $561.61 and 140.5 sick days at the rate of $30, totaling $16,570.42 in due claims. However, six of the eight elected board members present at the meeting voted to deny her the payment.

"There is a question as to the amount of time she is entitled to receive, and until it is appropriately calculated, we had to deny the amount," said board Vice President Neil Malvone.

Malvone said that the vote can be reversed after the auditor and business manager review Margin's file, but that her decision to leave came quickly relative to her resignation date, which is why matters could not be fully reviewed before last week's meeting.

However, if a misunderstanding of a contract exists, it could possibly proceed with a claim by Margin against the Board of Education under contract law. It is unclear if any lawsuits have been brought against the district in recent years, how those suits have fared, and how much money the district has spent defending its decision. Interim Business Administrator James Riehman said he is unaware of any cases because he has only been in his position for a short time.

Brian Zychowski said that due to his position as superintendent, he is obligated to go through a contract and make a recommendation for the approval or denial of reimbursement. However, he said that although there is a public vote for a contractual obligation, the details of the matter concern personnel issues and therefore cannot be disclosed.

On a related note, the agenda item following Margin's request asked for the approval of payment to Thomas Johnson, the coordinator of technology, for a total not to exceed $47,181.65. His reimbursement was approved unanimously.

"Mr. Johnson's days were reviewed and there were no discrepancies in his request," Malvone said.

Margin, who served North Brunswick for over 11 years and who will begin as the superintendent of the Manasquan School District on Aug. 1, said she wishes not to comment at this time.