Washington Township school board denies ,000 bonus request for Superintendent Eric Hibbs amid ongoing tensions with the school leadership.
The Washington Township school board has recently denied a request from Superintendent Eric Hibbs for over ,000 in merit pay, further intensifying ongoing tensions regarding his leadership. The nine-member board convened for a vote on the matter and concluded with a 3-0 outcome, accompanied by six abstentions due to various conflicts of interest among members.
Board President Julie Kozempel stated that the board’s legal counsel indicated a minimum of five affirmative votes were required for the approval of personnel matters, resulting in the proposal’s failure. Superintendent Hibbs contested this interpretation, asserting that his request was categorized as a financial matter necessitating only a majority vote, which he believes was achieved.
As the situation unfolds, it remains unclear how the board and Hibbs will resolve the disagreement, potentially leading to further legal disputes. Hibbs, who was suspended in March and reinstated by judicial ruling last month, did not provide comments when approached for a statement, nor did his legal representatives.
The merit compensation sought by Hibbs, amounting to ,319, stems from the achievement of four objectives stipulated in his contract for the 2024-25 academic year. According to his contract, he is eligible for an annual merit bonus of up to 14.99% of his salary, contingent upon meeting specified performance goals. The objectives cited included implementing enhanced security measures, completing Google training, and pursuing online professional development courses.
Community sentiment surrounding this matter appears divided. Some residents, such as James Masotti, expressed disappointment, suggesting that the compensation request lacks justification given the current challenges facing the district. Others argued that the bonus is warranted based on the contractual agreement and criticized the board for denying it.
The backdrop of this labor dispute includes Hibbs’ prior suspension for an ethics complaint relating to alleged preferential treatment toward a board member’s relative. His attorney indicated the complaint involved claims of changing an academic grade for a relative during the 2023 school year. In July, a Superior Court judge ruled that the board’s suspension of Hibbs violated the Open Public Meetings Act, thereby reinstating him.
As the school year approaches for Washington Township’s 7,200 students, the implications of these conflicts not only pertain to administrative decisions but also to ongoing negotiations regarding teacher contracts, fortifying the tension that prevails within the district’s educational landscape. The atmosphere is further complicated by budgetary concerns and potential strikes as the Washington Township Education Association continues to pursue equitable terms for its members.
