Unused vacation time payments are a concern Board approves more than $30,000 for 17 administrators BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer PHOTOS BY SCOTT PILLING From left to right: Resident Theresa Zagata and Phyllis Baumann, membership chairperson of the Sayreville Historical Society, discuss items in the museum during the reopening of the historical society building on Main Street on Sunday. Girl Scout Connie Marion, 8, of Sayreville, looks at artifacts on display at the museum. SAYREVILLE - The approval of more than $30,000 in payments to administrators for unused vacation time has school officials thinking about changes in future contracts. The Board of Education voted June 5 to approve compensation payments to 17 administrative personnel, an action that prompted a discussion about whether the employees should be allowed to collect for unused vacation time. Among the larger sums paid were $3,458 to Superintendent of Schools Frank Alfano, $3,095 to Assistant Superintendent Carla Sutherland, and $2,942 to Sayreville War Memorial High School Principal James Brown. Each of the three administrators had five unused vacation days, according to board documents. The lowest amount, $1,064, was paid to Carol Duffy, the supervisor of special education in the district, who had three unused vacation days. Board of Education President Michael Macagnone said later that the board has agreed to discuss the possibility of eliminating the stipulation that allows current employees to be paid for unused vacation days when the next round of contract negotiations begins. The practice of paying personnel for unused vacation days is somewhat of a standard practice for school districts, he noted. "It is very common," Macagnone said. "You have to understand that some of it is legitimate. There are times when they need to be here and the job makes it difficult [to take days off], depending on what is going on." But Macagnone also noted the benefits of taking vacation time for stress-related reasons. He said the issue will be discussed with administrative personnel during contract negotiations. "It is going to be a point of contention in the next round of contracts," Macagnone said. "The board is concerned about it. It is my feeling that they should take their vacation days." The board president said he believes that contract language should indicate that personnel are entitled to a certain number of vacation days, and if they do not use them, they may not be reimbursed. "That is my feeling," Macagnone said. "We are going to take a look at that and it will probably be something that the board is looking to eliminate from the contract. We will have to negotiate with the administration and staff." Macagnone stressed that his opinion on the matter does not mean that the administration does not deserve monetary compensation for unused vacation days. "Based on the salaries that some of our employees make, which they deserve, the perception of them not taking [vacation is that it] is excessive," he said. "These people earn every dollar we pay them," he added. "There is a lot of stress with the job, and that is why I am an advocate of taking the vacation." Borough resident Shirley Dill raised concerns about the matter during last week's meeting. Dill told the Suburban later that when her husband worked in the school district as a teacher, the policy with vacation days was "use it or lose it." It remains this way for teachers and janitors, she noted, while administrators have the option of collecting compensation. "With the salaries they have, I can't see why they can't take the time to use their vacation days," Dill said. "I don't think anyone is so important that they can't take a vacation day." Dill added her view that it does not make sense to offer the compensation to some employees, but not others. Macagnone stressed that administrators should not take his opinion as a statement about their contributions to the district. "I don't support monetary compensation for vacation days lost," he said. "They deserve what they are paid. I have seen that first-hand. This is strictly a business decision." Macagnone said there are always people who can pitch in when someone takes a vacation day. "Nobody is irreplaceable," he said. "Take the days you're allocated for. It's healthy to do so."