SWAMPSCOTT – The school district reached a settlement last month with former assistant superintendent Michael Tarlow, who filed a civil suit alleging breach of contract.
According to Attorney Neil Rossman, who represented Tarlow, the district agreed to pay Tarlow $200,000 in lost wages, along with his pension.
?It’s easy when you’re right,” Rossman said. “The suit was dismissed based on settlement. The town received a credit for the amount he collected in unemployment. He is now eligible for his pension.”
Joe Crimmins, who served on the School Committee at the time the settlement, said he could not address any specifics related to the suit.
?I can not confirm or deny what the terms of the settlement were,” he said. “It I my understanding there were confidentiality terms that were part of the agreement.”
In September 2007, Tarlow filed a civil suit against the school district in Essex Superior Court alleging breach of contract after his employment with the district was terminated in April 2007. The suit stems from former superintendent Matthew Malone’s decision to eliminate the position held by Tarlow, who made approximately $100,000 a year.
According to the complaint, after terminating Tarlow’s contract, Malone offered Tarlow the job of business manger at a salary of approximately $70,000. The district also argued Malone should be dropped as a defendant in the action because the School Committee has legal control over the Swampscott Public Schools and is ultimately responsible for any potential breach of contract.
The complaint alleged that: “Despite having offered Tarlow the newly-planned position of business manager, Malone continued to criticize Tarlow and to place enormous pressure on Mr. Tarlow with unrealistic demands. These demands were overwhelmingly the result of Malone’s inability to handle the problem or task himself. He also routinely acted in an authoritarian and demeaning manner towards Tarlow, as well as other employees of the school department.”
School Committee member Glenn Paster said he believes the settlement would be paid by insurance.
