WILLIAMSVILLE, N.Y. (WKBW) — Williamsville school parent Terry King said he continues to feel frustrated by what’s going on within his son’s school district.
“There’s no transparency with the district at this point about what’s really happening,” King said to 7 Eyewitness News Reporter Ali Touhey.
It’s beena monthsince the Williamsville School Board of Education placed Superintendent Scott Martzloff on paid administrative leave, after it said he mishandled the development of a COVID-19 reopening plan. It then appointed the district’s assistant superintendent Dr. John McKenna to Acting Superintendent.
One of King’s concerns is how much that decision is costing taxpayers.
“As a taxpayer, we have great concerns about paying two leaders with distinctly different agendas. This probably will cost the district millions of dollars.”
The exact dollars and cents is not yet known. It’s unclear how much Martzloff is being paid while on leave. The district didn’t respond to a request from 7 Eyewitness news for the information. We also filed a freedom of information request for the data, as well.
According to “See Through NY,” Martzloff made more than $236,000 in 2019. 2020 data wasn’t available.
In an email to 7 Eyewitness News, School Board President Theresa Anne Leatherbarrow said McKenna hasn’t gotten a raise for his new role. However, she said they expect additional compensation to be negotiated during next week‘s board meeting. She declined to comment on the situation any further at the advice of the school board’s attorney.
According to the New York State Council of School Superintendents, there’s no law that limits the length of time an administrator can be on paid leave. In Martzloff’s case, it’s determined by what’s written in his employment contract with the district.
The next school board meeting is scheduled for October 13.
