Judge: N.J. can crack down on administrator payouts

A federal judge has upheld the state's right to crack down on excessive perks and benefits for school administrators in New Jersey, which could signal the end of sweet heart deals for the state's top educators.
Administrators had come under fire lately for some huge retirement packages, including ex-Hoboken Superintendent Patrick Gagliardi's $600,000 retirement deal and the $740,000 package given to former Keansburg Superintendent Barbara Trzeskowski.
The state has been looking to step in and prevent exorbitant amounts of money from being doled out. The judge's ruling says the state should have the right to throw out contracts that go too far.
School administrators have argued that a deal is a deal, and the state has no right to interfere with their contracts. The Superintendents' Association says it is disappointed by the ruling and may file an appeal.