The Hamilton Township Board of Education approved a resolution authorizing a settlement in the tenure case against Mr. Tramontana at a special meeting on Nov. 4.
by James McEvoy, Managing Editor
HAMILTON — School business administrator Joseph Tramontana has resigned his post under an agreement with the Hamilton Township School District Monday night.
The Hamilton Township Board of Education approved a resolution authorizing a settlement in the tenure case against Mr. Tramontana at a special meeting on Nov. 4.
The resolution was approved 5-0 with board members Jeff Hewitson, Joseph Malagrino, Albert Gayzik, Richard Kanka and Jennifer Riddell voting in favor. Other board members were absent from the special meeting.
According to board minutes, Superintendent James Parla first announced on Nov. 14, 2012, that Mr. Tramontana would be placed on administrative leave “until further notice.” Mr. Tramontana continued to be paid while on leave until the tenure charges were formally filed earlier this year.
Mr. Tramontana, who had previously served as human resources director beginning in 2005, was appointed to the position of business administrator in 2010, according to board minutes. He was subsequently retained on one-year contracts the past two school years.
According to published reports, the tenure charges involved what the district termed an inappropriate relationship with Marliese Ljuba, the district’s former insurance broker, who served as a cooperating witness in the corruption trial of former Hamilton Mayor John Bencivengo.
Mr. Bencivengo was convicted of extortion and money laundering last year after accepting bribes from Ms. Ljuba.
Kurt Stumbaugh currently serves as interim business administrator for the district.
In addition, Peter Frascella, who serves as the district’s purchasing agent, was also appointed assistant business administrator earlier this year.
Prior to the board vote, which followed an executive session, Stephen Edelstein, the district’s special counsel, outlined the settlement to the board and public.
”Awhile back the board brought tenure charges against Mr. Tramontana and this resolution, if passed, marks the end of that process without the necessity of a full trial that would have cost the district quite a bit in terms of time, aggravation and money,” Mr. Edelstein said, noting with the passage of the resolution, Mr. Tramontana’s resignation was effective immediately.
”So his tenure ends today,” he said.
Mr. Edelstein said Mr. Tramontana, like any other district employee, had accumulated vacation, sick, personal and family illness time that would have to be paid regardless of the outcome of the charges against him.
”That time has a value and that is his money,” Mr. Edelstein said. “He is not being paid a dime for any day in the future.”
Following the meeting Mr. Edelstein said the value of the various sick and vacation time, combined with $8,000 for reimbursement for health insurance payments, amounts to just over $130,000.
He also told the board Mr. Tramontana would remain covered by health insurance until January.
Under the terms of the agreement, both parties also agreed not to disparage each other.
”The Department of Education has been kept closely aware of the settlement discussions since they have proceeded,” he said, noting after the meeting that discussion began approximately six weeks ago.
The department will be informed of the resolution Wednesday, he said, due to Tuesday being Election Day.
”Both sides expect a swift approval,” he said.
Responding to a question from Board President Jeff Hewitson, Mr. Edelstein said the settlement — apart from saving the district money — achieves closure in a faster and more certain fashion than had the tenure process continued.
After the meeting Dr. Parla said the district would have to move forward in appointing a permanent administrator, but did not provide a timeline.
He declined further comment.

