Celli relinquishes job, will still be paid

SWAMPSCOTT – Due to “redundancies” between the two half-time superintendent positions, former superintendent Lynne Celli has relinquished her role of Executive Superintendent for Special Projects.According to a statement School Committee Chairman Rick Kraft delivered at the school committee meeting Tuesday, both Celli and Interim Superintendent Garry Murphy “determined the district will operate most effectively when responsibility is consolidated under the district?s new leadership.”Although she has no more responsibility in Swampscott, Celli will still be paid according to her contract, of which about $72,500 is left out of the agreed $82,500, according to Kraft. Unless Celli breaks her contract her contract through “moral turpitude,” Swampscott is obligated to fulfill her contract, said Kraft, who said it was a “typical arrangement” among superintendents.Celli?s “creative arrangement” with the district working on the new elementary school, the STEM curriculum and advocating for government-funded Chapter 70 money will not be filled by another person, said committee member Carin Marshall.Murphy will be taking over all responsibilities including those special projects, with no changes to his salary of around $63,000, according to Kraft.Vice Chairman Ted Delano and fellow member Amy O?Connor commended Murphy for his leadership coming into Swampscott. “The pace of the district is increasing on a new course and moving forward,” said Delano. “It?s been great over the last month and a half to see Dr. Murphy taking charge and addressing issues out there in the district.”Murphy in turn thanked the committee. “I?m so appreciative and so impressed you?ve taken a step to facilitate us moving forward and becoming the kind of school district the community wants,” he said. “My success is dependent upon your support.”Committee member Marianne Hartmann encouraged the public to call or email the committee members with questions or concerns, adding that they will not be able to answer everything because personnel issues were a confidential matter. “I invite people to call or email us rather than speculate or blog about it,” she said. “I always appreciate getting an email even if it?s not a pleasant one.”In light of so much administration changeover in the district, the committee discussed scheduling an open forum for public discussion later this year.