subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite mapBuy a Classified
Tue, Nov 10 2009 

Published: November 20, 2008 10:39 pm    print this story  

FALLS SCHOOLS: Granto’s departure OK’d

Board approves agreement to ensure superintendent’s retirement benefits

By Caitlin Murray
E-mail Caitlin

Niagara Gazette

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.

print this story  



autoconx
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Premier Guide

Find a job! Find a Home! Find a car!

Featured Jobs

Facilities Director
Facilities
Director 
Strategically manage commercial and residential portfolios onsite in US and Canada. Exe
...>MORE

Insulation Installer
Insulation Installers. Exp. preferred but will train the right candidates. Start $8-$10/hr. Earn $15. in less than 30 da...>MORE

Activities Director
Activities Director FT AS Degree and /or or 3-5 yrs exp working in adult home. Send Resume To: Ransomville Manor at 35...>MORE

RN
RN, Director of Quality / Education: to plan, organize, develop and direct all staff development and CQI programs. North...>MORE

Auditor/Accountant
CIVIL SERVICE EXAMS
EXAM DATE: 1/9/10
FILING PERIOD:
11/9/09 -11/25/09
Applicants for both exams mu
...>MORE

Nurse Practitioner
NURSE Practitioner, PT including one evening, resume 533 Meadow Dr, Suite 2, N. Tona, NY 14120 or fax 693-4807...>MORE

Packers
Packers, General
Production & Assembly
1st, 2nd and 3rd shifts
Sanborn, Tonawanda
& Amherst.
Re
...>MORE

Echo Tech
ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY TECHNICIAN, Full-time. Certification by ARDMS or registry eligible. Up to $7500 Sign On Bonus!; MEDICAL...>MORE

Service greeter
Service greeter wanted, PT entry level. Looking for someone with strong customer service skills to work in our fast grow...>MORE

FLOOR ASSISTANT
Floor asst. needed for approx. 30-35 hrs/wk in a podiatry office, no exp. nec., will train, call between 12-2:30 pm for ...>MORE

See all ads

Feature Autos

Ford 1999 Ranger
FORD 1999 Ranger, 5 speed, 130K, fair condition, $2000 or best offer, 716-310-0531...>MORE

1995 Plymouth Neon
Plymouth ‘95 Neon, 4 cyl, auto, 4 dr, exc in & out, 1 owner, only 56k orig. mi, no rust. $2195. 523-7102 ...>MORE

Mercury 1999 Grand Marquis
Mercury ‘99 Grand Marquis 4 dr, leather, all options, 49k org mi., showroom cond. $6000. 860-2854, ...>MORE

Ford Windstar 1998
FORD 1998 Windstar $1000 or best offer.
298-5220
...>MORE

1991 Dodge Caravan
DODGE 1991 Caravan, exc body, runs great, full power, needs TLC. $1200 or BO. Call 754-4608....>MORE

2000 Dodge Caravan
DODGE 2000 Caravan, V6, power everything, excellent body, runs great, $2195. Call 754-4608....>MORE

Mazda 1995 Millenia
Mazda 1995 Millenia loaded, leather, only 26k mi. exc. cond. $2995. Best Offer
531-3548 or 297-1526
...>MORE

Buick 2005 LeSabre
BUICK 2005 Lesabre Custom, excellent condition, fully loaded, $6700 or best offer, 754-4540...>MORE

Pontiac 1999 Montana
PONTIAC 1999 Montana 57,000 original miles, full options, like new, $3300, 694-0441...>MORE

Chevy 2007 Impala LT
CHEVY 2007 Impala LT
25,800 mi, ext. warranty
Exc. Cond, $16,500
297-2199
...>MORE

See all ads





 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.CNHI Classified Advertising NetworkCNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2009. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index