Brookfield Board of Education Fires Superintendent Anthony Bivona

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After being placed on administrative leave in May, Brookfield superintendent of schools Anthony Bivona was fired Thursday evening, according to the News Times.

The 62-year-old Bivona was suspended with pay after an audit showed the district was using questionable accounting practices in their annual budgets. The budget was reportedly overspent by more than $1 million dollars.

The Brookfield Board of Education (BOE) appointed retired Trumbull superintendent Ralph Iassagno as acting superintendent in August while the BOE investigated the matter.

The termination came after a three hour hearing where six members of the BOE voted unanimously to terminate Bivona’s contract. The termination ends his seven year long career with Brookfield Public Schools. He will not receive any severance pay.

The BOE reached their decision after concluding that one of Bivona’s primary responsibilities was to oversee management of the district’s finances, including the annual budget.

According to the News Times, Bivona’s defense was based upon blaming the former business manager, Art Colley, for ”improper accounting and financial management practices he did not disclose.”

The BOE’s attorney, William Connon, stated that Bivona should have been able to recognize financial errors and question expenses before the audits.

The board found that Bivona should be held accountable for all of his administrative staff which includes the improper supervision of Colley.

Click here to read the full report on the News Times.

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