Amid Controversy, Schools to Renegotiate With Business Manager Candidate

In a new development this afternoon in the controversy surrounding the hiring of Brian Salzer as Marblehead schools business manager , Salzer's contract will be renegotiated early next week.

The School Committee last night threw out a signed contract with Salzer, who resigned as Swampscott High School rincipal this spring to take the Marblehead job. At issue: whether Superintendent Paul Dulac violated policies in the deal.

Interim Superintendent Bob Bellucci said he will meet with Salzer Monday or Tuesday to renegotiate a contract. He will then report to the School Committee in an executive session scheduled for Wednesday morning at 8:30.

Last night in a closed-door session, the School Committee outlined its guidelines for renegotiating a contract with Salzer, Bellucci said. Those parameters are not public record.

The problems started when committee members learned  Dulac had hired Salzer as business manager. It is the School Committee's responsibility and charge to make that hire.

Also, Dulac (who is on medical leave)  awarded Salzer a salary of $125,000, substantially higher than the $103,000 budgeted for the position.

"It's a big concern that this never happens again," committee member Jonathan Lederman said last night.

"I'm hopeful we can have this resolved by mid-week," Bellucci said this afternoon.