HILLSDALE—Hillsdale Public School Board trustees approved, 4-0, a new employment contract for the superintendent at the Jan. 15 meeting that extended his employment through June 2028 and increased annual salary raises from 2.0% to 3.2% yearly, with a 2028 salary of $240,076.
“I’m happy for that, congratulations,” said trustee Kevin Donatello, noting the contract extension. “It’s always good to have stability in your seat and knowing that we have so for five more years is very comforting. So congratulations, Mr. Lombardy.”
Added Justin Saxon, “Thank you, Kevin, I second that. I’m very appreciative of the work you do here in Hillsdale,” he told Lombardy.
The public hearing on the extended, increased salary contract agreement was noted as agenda item No. 8, and slightly more detail was offered under Financial Resolution 13P.
Voting yes: President Justin Saxon, Vice President Christina Jennings, and board members Kevin Donatello and Michael Kenduck.
Trustee Salvatore Sileo abstained, explaining to Pascack Press following the meeting that he did so because a relative of his is a district employee.
Lombardy started with the district on July 1, 2018. In 2018, the last year of the new contract, he will celebrate his 10-year anniversary in the Hillsdale Public Schools district.
Following the vote, Lombardy told us, “Hillsdale has wonderful kids, wonderful families, a wonderful Board of Education and a wonderful staff. To put it simply, it is a wonderful place to serve and I am thrilled to be here.”
Over the last several years, Lombardy has been at the center of the school district’s efforts to build public support and pass a referendum to replace—and now renovate—the more than 100-year-old George G. White Middle School.
In March 2023, taxpayers defeated the first $82.7 million middle school replacement referendum by an almost 2 to 1 margin.
Recently, following three public meetings, there appeared to be public consensus on one referendum question that costs $61,258,000 (the lowest cost option available), which breaks the question into two parts.
In Lombardy’s prior contract, annual raises were capped at 2.0%. The new contract, approved Jan. 15, supersedes the prior employment agreement, and caps raises at 3.2%.
The previous contract, effective from July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2026, included a salary of $209,195 for July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024.
The new agreement includes a retroactive salary of $211,656 for the same period.