'Dr. P' Gets Another Five Years at Central Regional

Central Regional Board of Education members wanted to make sure schools Superintendent Triantafillos "Tom" Parlapanides sticks around for awhile.

So they unanimously approved a new five-year contract at a recent board meeting for the 38-year-old Central Regional alumnus.

"He fits the bill," said board member Robert Ray, who chairs the negotiation committee. "He's worked out perfectly. I'm happy he's on board. We communicate on an almost daily basis."

Parlapanides, 38, will receive $153,000 a year for each year for the next five years. While that's a initial two percent increase over his previous salary, Parlapanides will pay 1.5 percent of his salary each year towards his health care insurance premiums, Ray said.

"So he basically got a half of one percent increase," Ray said. "That will basically be frozen for five years."

The new contract took effect on July 1 and will run through June 30, 2016. Parlapanides will also receive a $1,000 stipend effective July 1, 2012, for holding a doctorate degree from an accredited university, said schools Business Administrator Kevin O'Shea.

Parlapanides received his doctorate in executive education from Seton Hall University. He also has a masters degree in administration from Georgian Court University and a bachelors degree in history from Villanova University.

"I am very honored to be given the opportunity to serve this great district for another 5 years," Parlapanides said today. "I have a great board of education that has made all the improvements at Central Regional possible with their commitment to excellence and along with our administrative team, staff, students and our wonderful parents we will continue to make Central Regional one of the best schools in New Jersey."

The 1.5 percent salary deduction translates into over 25 percent of his medical costs for 2011-2012, O'Shea said. The $1,000 stipend in 2012-2013 results in a raise of 0.0067 percent for the 2012-2013 year and then zero percent for the 2013-2014, 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 school years.

"There are no provisions for telephone costs, car allowances, or payments to any retirement plans," O'Shea said. "He does have a provision for payment of unused sick leave upon retirement not to exceed $15,000, which is in accordance with state law."

Parlapanides is entitled to travel reimbursements at a state-approved rate, but has never sought reimbursement for any travel costs during the three years he has been superintendent, he said.

"He's done a fantastic job," Ray said today. "He's doing everything we want to be done."

His new contract calls for him to receive 20 vacation days, 12 sick days and four personal days each year.

Parlapanides, who lives in Seaside Park, was tapped as superintendent in 2008. He has presided over the sending district during some of its most difficult years, when state aid was decreased and positions and programs had to be cut.