Robert Zywicki, former superintendent of the Mount Olive Board of Education in Morris County New Jersey, is set to receive $645,000 in a settlement resolving whistleblower retaliation allegations, NJ.com reports.
Zywicki, who served as superintendent from 2018 to 2023, filed a lawsuit against the board of education in 2022.
“In his lawsuit, Zywicki alleged the board retaliated against him for whistleblowing and exposing improper behavior by school board members,” NJ.com reports. “He also alleged board members orchestrated a scheme to destroy his reputation, and he filed ethics charges against several board members.”
According to Daily Record, “Zywicki’s complaint outlined a pattern of what he called retaliation for disciplining a senior member of the district’s administrative staff in the spring of 2022.”
Zywicki claims that “the retaliation began in the fall of 2022 when, according to court papers, then-board president Strillacci directed board attorney Marc Zitomer to ‘pressure’ Zywicki to withdraw his complaints, threatening ‘adverse employment action if he did not,’” Daily further reports.
In a 5-4 vote on January 6, the Mount Olive Board of Education approved the settlement.
“The District and Dr. Zywicki have determined that this resolution serves the best interests of all parties involved, including the Mount Olive school community,” NJ.com reports that a joint statement by Zywicki and the Board of Education states. “Both parties look forward to moving forward and focusing on their respective future endeavors.”
“As part of this resolution, Dr. Zywicki has agreed to withdraw all pending litigation against the District and its officials,” the statement reportedly says and notes that the terms of the settlement are confidential.
Further Reading:
Ex-superintendent gets $645K to settle whistleblower lawsuit against N.J. school district
