Cinnaminson BOE Renews Superintendent Contract

When it comes to Superintendent Salvatore Illuzzi, the Cinnaminson Board of Education has never had any doubt.

The board unanimously approved a new three-year contract for Illuzzi Thursday night, mirroring the unanimous support the superintendent received from the board when he was first hired to lead the district 15 years ago. 

Board President Jean Cohen said the strides the district has made over that time are largely attributable to Illuzzi's leadership. His greatest strengths, she said, are his "personal relationships with staff, with the community, with the board ... His people skills."

It was a no-brainer for the board to renew Illuzzi's contract, according to Cohen, though it entailed a pretty significant pay cut for the veteran administrator. 

Under the terms of the superintendent pay scale imposed by Gov. Christie three years ago—which sets salaries based on the size of a district—Illuzzi will earn $157,500 annually. He had been earning $216,000.

Illuzzi, one of the longest-tenured superintendents in Burlington County, said he agreed to stay to fulfill a promise he made to the board: that he would not leave until its capital projects were complete.

"We are ecstatic Dr. Illuzzi has decided not to retire to stay with us," said Cohen. 

A public hearing was held Thursday night to approve the contract, but there was no public comment. The contract—which runs from July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2017—was approved 9-0.

As for Illuzzi's future with the district beyond the three-year term of the contract, Cohen said, "It all depends on where the building process is. We hope to keep Dr. Illuzzi as long as that's going on."