Brick Superintendent's Contract Up For Renewal

BRICK, NJ — The Brick Township Board of Education will hold a public hearing at its July meeting on a proposed contract extension for Superintendent Thomas G. Farrell.

Farrell will be entering the final year of his initial four-year contract starting July 1. The board announced its intent to extend his contract in a public notice that was distributed to news organizations as well as published as a legal notice.

Farrell, who was hired in January 2020 and took over March 1, 2020 — just two weeks before the coronavirus pandemic shutdown — is slated to earn $211,130 for the 2023-24 school year. He does not take separate health benefits but is covered under those of his wife, Linda, who is a kindergarten teacher in the district.

Details of the proposed extension have not been announced.

The July 13 meeting is set for 7 p.m. at the district's Professional Development Center at the administration building, 101 Hendrickson Blvd.

The full text of the public notice is as follows:

"In accordance with N.J.S.A. 18A:11-11, the Brick Township Board of Education (hereinafter the “Board”) is providing notice of its intent to hold a public hearing and to take action to amend, extend, renegotiate and/or alter the terms and conditions of the employment contract of the Superintendent of Schools at its regular meeting to be held at the Brick Professional Development Center, located at 101 Hendrickson Avenue, Brick, New Jersey, on July 13, 2023 beginning at 7:00 p.m.

N.J.S.A. 18A: 11-11 requires boards of education to provide notice to the public at least 30 days prior to the renegotiation, extension, amendment, or alteration of the employment contract with the Superintendent of Schools. N.J.S.A. 18A: 11-11 further requires boards of education to hold a public hearing and to provide notice to the public at least 10 days prior to the public hearing. This advertisement provides the said public notice and has been posted on the district’s website on June 12, 2023.

The Brick Township Board of Education hereby designates starting at 7:00 pm on July 13, 2023, as
the public hearing required by the Act, after which the Board may take action to amend, extend, renegotiate and/or alter the terms and conditions of the employment contract of the Superintendent of Schools.

Prior to this action, the Board will permit the public to make comments on the proposed contract at the aforementioned meeting. The Board, pursuant to the Open Public Meetings Act, specifically N.J.S.A. 10:4-12 (b), shall not publicly discuss personnel matters. However, the Board
will give all comments appropriate consideration. Pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:23A-3.1, the Executive County Superintendent must review and approve the proposed contract in advance of the hearing/action.

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION

James W. Edwards, Business Administrator/Board Secretary
Dated: June 9, 2023