Nick DeRosa to get $100,000 annual pension

July 04, 2006

By Pat Litowitz
New Castle News

A New Castle school board member wants the district to re-evaluate the compensation package given to retiring administrators.

Philip Conti said Nicholas DeRosa — outgoing assistant superintendent — will become a financial burden to the district. His last day with the district was Friday.

DeRosa’s annual pension will be about $100,000.

That figure, provided by the district, is based on a formula used for retiring administrators. It uses the length of service and the three years with the highest salary.

“They’re well paid for the work that they do,” said Conti, also a retired educator.

DeRosa’s salary for the ’05-06 school year was $109,190.

In 1998, the school board voted to increase the cash payout an administrator with 30 or more years of service received. That amount jumped from $30,000 to $40,000. DeRosa can take his money over a three- to five-year period.

“If I would have been on the board at the time in (1998), there’s no way I would have supported that,” Conti said.

In addition, DeRosa will be paid $175 per day for unused sick days accumulated during his 39 years with the district. He will also receive $449.43 per unused vacation days.

Administrators receive 20 vacation days each year. Vacation days cannot be accumulated.

“Sick days were never meant to be a bonus,” Conti said. “They should take their vacation days during the school year.

“It ends up a bonus and an additional expense for the district.”

In an effort to determine the value of DeRosa’s retirement package, the New Castle News asked the school district for the amount of his unused sick and vacation days.

Stating that information dealt with personnel matters, district solicitor Charles Sapienza rejected the request.

In a letter released Friday, James Manolis, The News’ attorney, asked the district to review its stance in light of Pennsylvania State University v. State Employees’ Retirement Board. That court case centered on the salary records of Penn State football coach Joe Paterno.

Beginning in April, The News undertook a concerted effort to interview DeRosa. At each request, DeRosa agreed to meet but would not commit to a date.

Prior to the start of Wednesday’s special school board meeting, a News reporter and photographer approached DeRosa. He said he would talk to The News after the meeting.

DeRosa did not attend the board meeting, nor did he appear for the interview.

A longtime fixture in the district, DeRosa began his career in the 1967-68 school year with teaching assignments at Lincoln-Garfield and Lockley elementaries.

“He has an attachment to the New Castle Area School District,” Superintendent George Gabriel said. “Nick’s decision was to stay here.”

Gabriel said DeRosa was a mentor when Gabriel first taught at Lincoln-Garfield.

“I was a young guy, a rookie,” Gabriel recalled. “He took me under his wing. We developed a friendship.

“Nick has been nothing but true and loyal to me.”

Despite negative publicity regarding a state audit and a board-sponsored review, DeRosa has been good for the district, Gabriel said.

“Nick’s greatest contributions were in the area of ... negotiations. He has negotiated some outstanding contracts between the teachers union and the support staff.”

Refuting a previously published report, Gabriel said DeRosa will not be returning to the district. He said DeRosa did not ask to be a consultant nor did the district seek out his expertise.

That sits well with at least one board member.

“I agreed with Mr. DeRosa when he said it was time for him to leave,” Conti said.