Williamsville, NY (WBEN) The Williamsville School District says it has reached an agreement where Dr. Scott Martzloff will resign as superintendent. He has been on leave since Labor Day after he announced that remote learning for 1375 middle and high school students would be delayed due to a teacher shortage for hybrid and remote learners in the district.
The Board stated, "Williamsville is a district supported by many professionals in private and public fields, and we trust that these residents understand that the separation of a top executive is often more costly than an organization would like. We are pleased that we were successful in not burdening future budgets by paying hundreds of thousands of dollars for the former superintendent's health care and other benefits for 18 more months, and in retirement."
Dr. John E. McKenna will continue to serve as the District's acting superintendent and the board will consider the best way to lead a search for a new superintendent.
The district says terms of the agreement include a contractually required payment to Dr. Martzloff for unused sick and vacation days he accrued while working at the district totaling approximately $233,000. It also contains a severance payment of eight and a half (8½) months' salary paid in January 2021. Martzloff must document "ongoing, due diligent and good faith efforts" to find a building level or district central office administrative position in the next 24 months. If he cannot secure such a position by November 24, 2022, he will be paid an amount comparable to approximately three and a half (3½) months of severance.
Martzloff's contract with the Board (including a $233,000 annual salary) would have otherwise continued through June 30, 2022. The agreement saves the District over $400,000 and precludes any contribution by the District to his health insurance in retirement.
The district says results of the outside investigation into Martzloff's past actions in the district, focusing on the confusion regarding the reopening of the District's schools for the 2020-2021 school year are expected in early 2021.
