Tag: Double Dipping

Morse Code – It’s A Double Dip In Oyster River

September 26, 2018May 21, 2012

by Steve MacDonald

“Sometimes, life throws you some curves.” That was the response “retiring” Portland Maine School District Superintendent Dr. James Morse gave to the press and the public after announcing that he had taken a job as the Superintendent of the Oyster River Cooperative district in New Hampshire.

“Sometimes, life throws you some curves.”

But we can read the stitches. One of those stitches indicates that Mr. Morse was one of 15 applicants for the job. (Applicant: A person who applies, as for a job.) So how much of a curve ball is it when you announce you are “retiring” (after 32 years in the public education industrial complex), and then get a job for which you applied?

Do Retired School Superintendents Ever Really Retire?

September 26, 2018May 15, 2012

by Steve MacDonald

Starting in July of 2012, Mr. Irwin Sussman will begin his new job as the Superintendent of SAU#43 ( Croydon-Newport), a not so curious turn of events for a man who recently “retired” after 40 years working in public education in New York State. (Last week, you may recall, we introduced you to Robert Sullivan. He retired as the Super in Middleboro MA, and is collecting $70-80K from the State of Massachusetts, while currently running SAU#21 in New Hampshire.)

Mr. Sussman was a teacher, school principal, and finally a superintendent, working in Lake Luzerne NY, when he “felt it was time” to retire…

After two decades at the Hadley-Luzerne Central School District, and the last eight years as the superintendent, Irwin Sussman told the board last week he will retire at the end of the school year.

Sussman, who turns 64 next month, will work his last day on June 30. His career in education spans 40 years.

“I feel that it’s that time,” said Sussman, who was the high school principal for about 11 years before he became the superintendent in January 2003.

Wait. Didn’t I just say he was starting a new job in Croydon-Newport this July?

New Hampshire’s SAU 21 Hooked A Double-Dipper

September 26, 2018May 10, 2012

by Steve MacDonald

Public School Superintendents double dipping

Meet Robert M. Sullivan. Mr Sullivan, at the age of 58 ( I believe), ‘retired’ as the Superintendent of the Middleboro Massachusetts School District, where he was earning 128,000.00 per year. But like many “retired” public school superintendents, he didn’t stay retired for very long. He’s currently the Superintendent for the six schools that make up SAU #21 in New Hampshire. (Hampton Falls, North and South Hampton, Seabrook and Winnacunnet Co-op.)

But he’s retired!

“Retired?” Retired, to a Superintendent means you have a new job lined up before you leave the job you retired from, which the retiring Sullivan did. But while Mr. Sullivan is working in the Granite State he isn’t moving to New Hampshire permanently. He and his wife are staying in Massachusetts. Why?

…the out-of-state job will enable Robert M. Sullivan to collect his full Massachusetts pension, estimated to be in the range of $70,000 to $85,000, while also being paid for his new position.