HILLSDALE—The Hillsdale Board of Education approved a new one-year $155,000 annual contract for the school’s business administrator on July 19, reappointing Sacha Pouliot for a one-year term beginning this July 1 and ending June 30, 2023.
Pouliot begins his fourth year with the district in January 2023.
The renewal was approved by the interim executive county superintendent, according to standards adopted by the state commissioner of education, states the July 19 resolution approved by the board.
Superintendent Robert Lombardy told Pascack Press that Pouliot “is an asset to the Hillsdale Public Schools and an integral part of the administrative team.”
Offering a snapshot of Pouliot’s duties, Lombardy said the BA prepares the annual school budget, is general accountant for Board of Education operations, is official purchasing agent, administrates insurance/risk management, oversees payroll, is secretary to the Board of Education, supervises the building and grounds personnel, supervises the food services program, and manages and budgets grant funding.
Looking ahead, the school board voted unanimously in mid-June to approve an $82.5 million referendum, scheduled March 2023, to replace the century-old George G. White Middle School.
“As a small K-8 school district, all members of the administrative team have to wear many hats to support the efficient and effective management of the schools for the best programming and resources to be available for our students and staff,” Lombardy said.
The new contract grants 20 annual vacation days, which must be approved by the superintendent. It notes that vacations will “usually” take place between July 1 and Aug. 31.
The contract permits a maximum carryover of five vacation days, which must be used up in full by the second year or “shall be forfeited and shall have no cash value.”
Under the new contract, Pouliot receives 12 sick days, prorated for the one-year agreement.
Moreover, Pouliot receives five days for “personal, religious, legal, business, paternity, household or family matters” that require his absence during school hours. He is required to notify the superintendent two days in advance of taking a personal day. Personal days cannot be taken immediately following a legal holiday or school holiday, states the agreement.
An agreed conversion formula in the contract allows a portion of unused personal days to go toward accumulated sick leave time. For example, if the business administrator takes only one personal day during the year, three sick leave days will be accumulated.
Other time off allowed includes: a death in the family (up to five days); a death outside the family (one day); illness or emergency with immediate family (up to three days annually); and time off for required military service or jury duty under specific circumstances.
The contract includes enrollment in the New Jersey School Employees Health Benefits Program, with a cap of 30 percent contribution toward premiums; enrollment in the Delta Dental Plan, with maximum annual premium capped at $2,500; and disability insurance with the Prudential New Jersey School Administrators Group Disability Plan capped at $2.100 annually.
The contract grants time off for established holidays, including: Independence Day; Labor Day; religious holidays; Thanksgiving; Christmas; New Year’s Day; Presidential Holiday; and Memorial Day.
The extended vacation periods during the holiday recess, presidential week recess, and spring recess are listed as exceptions to the holidays granted. That said, “The superintendent, at his discretion, may waive attendance during these extended recess periods if all work is up to date and completed,” states the contract.
The contract pays for annual memberships in three organizations, including Bergen County Association of School Business Officials, New Jersey Association of School Business Officials, and the Association of School Business Officials International. No membership costs are noted.
The contract notes that Pouliot will be reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses based on board policy and state law, including reimbursement for mileage when using his personal vehicle on district-related business, but not commuting back and forth to work. It also includes optical examination and eyeglass reimbursement up to $500 yearly.
The contract also provides reimbursement for attendance at four annual professional growth conferences, including an up to $3,950 reimbursement for the NJ EXCEL Model 4 Program.