Published: November 20, 2008 10:39 pm      

FALLS SCHOOLS: Granto’s departure OK’d

Board approves agreement to ensure superintendent’s retirement benefits

The Niagara Falls Board of Education Thursday unanimously approved Superintendent Carmen Granto’s retirement and the appointment of Deputy Superintendent Cynthia Bianco as his interim replacement beginning Jan. 1.

But it wasn’t without first approving a memorandum of agreement to “avoid any questions and misunderstanding in the future as to the superintendent’s and his spouse’s right to benefits and the board’s approval of those benefits.”

The agreement covers lifetime benefits already outlined in Granto’s 2006 contract, plus a guarantee for long-term care that was not included in his contact but was approved for superintendents by a school board in 1990.

Benefits Granto will receive upon retiring include fully paid pension, retirement and Social Security, 21 unused leave days worth $6,143.09, and “fully paid family health including medical, hospital, dental, vision, prescription, major, and medical to be paid for the superintendent and his spouse for their respective lifetimes, subject to such adjustment as may be appropriate with respect to Medicare provisions and coverage.” Granto will also have a flexible spending account worth $2,500 annually.

Granto’s departure comes on the heels on what has been a difficult year for the district. In October, an audit released by state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli’s Office slammed the district for mismanaging hundreds of thousands of dollars. The comptroller accused Granto of collecting undue leave pay and charging personal expenses to his district credit card — problems Granto said have since been rectified.

The district is also facing a $4.8 million deficit this year after a new team of internal auditors found unresolved budget problems, according to numbers released Thursday.

But the Board of Education, in formally approving Granto’s retirement, looked back fondly upon Granto’s 16 years leading the district. Granto hasn’t raised taxes in 16 years and spearheaded the financing and construction of a new high school as part of a districtwide consolidation.

Acknowledging the audit has overshadowed positive aspects of the district, board member Don King praised Granto for the work he’s done over the past 42 years “on behalf of the thousands of kids.”

“The words don’t come very easy,” King said, emotion in his voice. “I think the people of our community have been very well served.”

During the vote, many board members reminisced about their past with the superintendent, including Kevin Dobbs who recalled being a 12-year-old student taught by Granto.

Board member Jeanette Stypa said after working with Granto over the years, she finally understands what it meant when he said education was his life.

“Amid all the negative press and what we’ve gone through together, you’ve kept your integrity,” Stypa said. “We’ve always said it’s learning for all — and you made that happen.”

Bianco will be taking over in the midst of dealing with a huge deficit and a response to the state Comptroller’s scathing audit, but she is up to the task, she said.

“Tough times don’t last, tough people do,” Bianco said after the meeting. “I like to put myself in that category and this is my life’s work, so I’m comfortable. Education truly is my life, I can’t imagine myself doing anything else.”

Board president Robert Kazeangin said last week the board is advertising for a permanent superintendent replacement to be named by July 1. Kazeangin said the search will be statewide but added, “We have quite a few talented people within our district.”

Bianco confirmed Thursday she is among the in-house applicants for the position.