By Scott Brinton
They charge that Mills rubber-stamped waivers that allowed 40 school superintendents to double-dip - to receive both a pension and a salary. In certain cases, the combined pensions and salaries added up to $400,000 and $500,000 a year.
In a telephone interview, Fuschillo said Mills "should have exercised leadership in the review process" for waivers.
State law allows retired superintendents under age 65 to earn a pension and salary from a school district, but only as a last resort. The district must first have proved that it exhausted all other opportunities to hire a new schools chief. Fuschillo said, however, that the commissioner's office approved the 40 waivers with little or no oversight.
Hannon said that he has heard absolutely nothing from the department of education and that they are responsible in a greater degree to a public policy and education than the legislators are.
"They are not asserting a role, not asserting a policy and not asserting a position," said Hannon. He added that while he thinks there is a legitimate role for hiring a retired superintendent as an interim superintendent of schools in certain cases, it is important that it does not become a permanent policy.
"I can see many districts needing people on a short term basis, but it's bad for the system in this way if it continues on," said Hannon. "What happens to the newer people who come along? They will not have the ability to be moved up the ladder if all we're doing is that [the superintendents] retire and get hired to another district."
Skelos said, "Unfortunately, the state Education Department has failed New York state taxpayers, and it's time for new leadership. From the failures at Roosevelt to the scandals that have dominated the local headlines, the commissioner must be accountable."
It is the second time in a year that Long Island's state lawmakers are calling on Mills to step down. In 2007, Fuschillo said Mills should go after it was revealed that the Roosevelt School District, which the state took control of, had an $8 million deficit. The education commissioner's office was directly responsible for oversight of Roosevelt, the senator said.
State Education Chancellor Robert Bennett issued a statement on Mills. It said, "The Board of Regents affirms its support for the commissioner, his continued service and his many accomplishments. We thank him for taking quick, corrective action to deal with this situation."
Mills announced a 60-day moratorium on the issuance of waivers while his office reviews its procedures. Fuschillo said he is unsure what Mills plans to do. The commissioner did not make a statement, nor did he show up for a recent hearing on the state's waiver policy called by state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo.
Cuomo is investigating the state's waiver policy and practices. He is issuing subpoenas to all 127 Long Island school districts to determine how widespread the practice of double dipping is. Fuschillo noted that it goes on upstate as well.
A number of school administrators have spoken out, saying that hiring retired superintendents saves taxpayers money. They argue that retired superintendents work for less than new hires, and they do not need insurance or retirement benefits. Fuschillo, though, argued that school districts have come to rely too much on retired superintendents, creating a network among retirees that excludes new hires.
Three of the biggest double-dippers are: James Hunderfeld, who is superintendent of the Malverne School District, earning $516,000 with salary and pension; Anthony Singe, superintendent of Valley Stream District No. 30, $334,000; and Thomas Caramore, superintendent of the Baldwin School District, former superintendent of the Bellmore-Merrick district, $406,000, according to Newsday.
Other Republican senators who called on Mills to resign included Craig Johnson, John Flanagan, Kenneth LaValle, Caeasar Truzno, Owen Johnson and Carl Marcellino.
Mike Russo contributed to this story. Comments about it? Sbrinton@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 203.
