New Twist in Controversy Over School Biz Manager

In a surprise development today, the Marblehead School Committee voted unanimously to reopen its search for a school business manager after throwing out a contract with Swampscott High School Principal Brian Salzer.

The controversy centers around Superintendent Paul Dulac's hiring of Salzer this spring without the consent of the School Committee.  Salzer's signed contract was for $125,000 a year, substantially higher than the $103,000 budgeted for the job.

School Committee members learned about the hiring -- and the higher salary-- in media reports. Saying Dulac had violated policies, they tossed out the contract in a unanimous vote last week.

"The search is now reopened and we are looking at candidates to fill the position," School Committee Chairwoman Patricia Blackmer said this afternoon.

The committee met in a closed-door executive session today, in hopes of renegotiating the Salzer deal. The salary issue became a sticking point, Blackmer suggested.

"It's a matter of being able to work within our budget," she said. "We need to be financially responsible."

In Swampscott, Superintendent Dr. Lynne Celli said she had just learned about Marblehead's decision and had received e-mails from colleagues saying Salzer may want to come back to Swampscott High School. She had not heard from Salzer as of 3:30 p.m.

"This is surprising to me," Celli said.

A search committee has been working to find Salzer's replacement at Swampscott High School. It is set to begin reviewing resumes on Friday.

In Marblehead, Blacker said it is up to Salzer if he wants to stay in the running for the business manager job. "That would be his call," she said.