Former school Superintendent Judith Palmer, who left the district last August in a controversy over her employment contract, has a state Labor Department wage claim against the Board of Education for being allegedly short-changed in her final paycheck.
Palmer’s claim is for $4,200.17, an amount that two business managers for the district have checked into and dispute, claiming Palmer was paid in full, according to Michael P. McKeon, attorney for the district.
McKeon explained the back pay issue to the Board of Education during a meeting Tuesday night at Oxford High School.
Board member Paula Guillet said it was the first she had heard about the wage claim, which McKeon said has been under examination at the district offices since last year.
McKeon asked the school board what they wanted to do about it, and they were given three choices:
- Pay it to avoid further legal costs,
- Try to work out a compromise since both sides believe they are correct
- Or fight it
The board weighed each option, and voted 5 – 3 to fight the wage claim.
That could cost much more than the claim itself, McKeon explained — perhaps as much as $20,000.
The vote was not along party lines though. Democrat Ted Oczkowski joined Republicans John Lavin, Michael Macchio, Rose McKinnon and William J. Neary calling to deny the claim. Democrats Paula Guillet,
Lisa Hellauer and Kevin Reid were in favor of a compromise, which failed 5 – 3.
Paying the money “would set a bad precedent,” Lavin said.
McKeon said it was the first time in his decades of experience with school boards he has ever seen a wage claim from a highly compensated school superintendent. It is a relatively small amount, in the overall
picture of Labor Department wage claim disputes, he said.
A message seeking comment was left with Palmer Wednesday morning.
Palmer is now superintendent of Region 7 schools in Winsted.
