LI Lawmakers Seek Education Commissioner’s Resignation

By Sandra Peddie and Eden Laikin, Newsday, Melville, N.Y.

May 29–All nine state senators from Long Island called for state Education Commissioner Richard Mills’ resignation Wednesday in the wake of revelations about the department’s failure to monitor a waiver system that has allowed scores of school administrators to collect both six-figure pensions and salaries.

And on the Fred Dicker radio show in Albany, Gov. David Paterson called the revelations “a little bit startling” and said he expected some changes.

“We certainly don’t want to deny people their pensions, but we don’t want the public dole to become a windfall for people,” Paterson said.

The senators’ call comes just days after state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo presided over a legislative hearing in Farmingdale prompted by Newsday stories about the widespread practice of double-dipping in Long Island schools. At least 40 central office administrators — or 1 in 9 — collect two paychecks from taxpayers, earning $11 million a year.

Newsday also reported that the department exercises little oversight when issuing waivers allowing retirees under 65 to earn more than the legal limit of $30,000 in a public job.

Mills declined comment Wednesday, but conceded in an interview last week that the system needs reform.

This is the first time the entire Long Island state Senate delegation has called for his ouster. Any decision regarding his future rests with the state Board of Regents, which oversees the department.

State Chancellor Robert Bennett issued a statement affirming the Regents’ support for the commissioner.

Mills did not attend last week’s hearing, but released a statement declaring a 60-day moratorium on waivers.

But senators questioned why Mills waited until the scandal made headlines before acting.

“It’s disheartening that retired superintendents have pensions and salaries of $400,000 or $500,000. All I hear is that there’s a lack of qualified candidates [for superintendent]. There are many qualified candidates in assistant positions, shut out by these games they play,” said Sen. Charles Fuschillo (R-Merrick).

“Where’s the leadership?” said State Sen. John Flanagan (R, C-Northport.)

The other Republican senators who joined the call were Kenneth LaValle, Port Jefferson; Caesar Trunzo, Brentwood; Owen Johnson, West Babylon; Dean Skelos, Rockville Centre; Kemp Hannon, Garden City and Carl Marcellino of Syosset.

Sen. Craig Johnson of Port Washington, the lone Democrat in the delegation, agreed with the others, said his spokesman, Rich Azzopardi.

“We feel there should be a new start in the Education Department.”

Staff writer Melissa Mansfield contributed to this story.

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