State Monitor Prioritizes Student Needs, Overrides Nutley Board of Education Vote

NUTLEY, NJ - On August 26, 2024, NJ Department of Education State Monitor Jeanette Maskus made a decisive move that she described as being in the best interest of Nutley’s students.

The agenda item, titled, “Approval of Unused Vacation Days,” proposed: “Be it resolved that the Nutley Board of Education approves the payment of unused vacation days to Employee ID #4205 in the amount of $27,957.71, as per contract.”

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While the BOE members unanimously voted against item J, with President Salvatore Ferraro and Joseph Battaglia abstaining, Maskus chose to override their decision. She explained that rejecting the payment would lead to significant legal costs and that the funds would be better spent on student needs.

“I have reviewed the contract of this individual, looked at the statutes, spoke to the attorney, and very simply, the individual is entitled to payment for the unused vacation days,” Maskus said.

“The amount it would cost us to say ‘no’ and go to court and lose. I feel those monies could be better spent on our students, so therefore, I will be overriding the board on this particular matter and those vacation days will be paid.”

In May, Maskus was appointed by the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) to assume fiscal control of the Nutley Public School District, as the district faced a whopping $7 million shortfall. As a monitor, Maskus is responsible for overseeing the business side of the Nutley Public School District and works closely with Superintendent Kent Bania and members of the Nutley BOE.

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At Monday evening's meeting, Maskus emphasized her authority as state monitor to override the BOE’s decision on financial issues, stating, “I have chosen to do so because I think it’s in the long-term best interest of the students.”

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