Costs in Paul Kadri Dispute Mounting for Groton

The Groton Board of Education has paid roughly $146,000 to Paul Kadri and interim superintendents to lead the district in his absence since he was placed on leave in May, and an additional $6,650 in legal bills, according to contracts, invoices and interviews.

Kadri’s lawyer said Wednesday the superintendent offered to settle with the school board shortly before the investigative report was released to the public, but the board declined the offer.

Gregg Adler declined to specify the amount of the settlement.

The board has since notified Kadri it is considering terminating his contract, and a hearing is scheduled for Oct. 30.  Adler said he believes Kadri cannot get a fair hearing before the Groton school board and may sue for violation of due process.

Payments to Kadri, interim leaders

Kadri has been on paid administrative leave since May 7, and has continued to receive his base salary of $167,475. 

At $644 per day for 24 weeks, the total as of today would be about $77,280.

In addition, the school board paid former Interim Superintendent Randall Collins an equivalent salary for about 18 weeks, from May 29 until Sept. 28, or about $57,960.

The board has since hired Interim Superintendent John Ramos at a pro-rated amount of $721.88 per day. The total for three weeks as of today would be about $10,828.

Legal bills

In addition, the school board has legal bills.

According to invoices from Floyd Dugas, the lawyer for the school board, the board paid $6,650 from April to September specifically to handle matters related to Kadri.

The board also entered into a fee arrangement with William T. Blake at $225 per hour for attorneys’ fees and $75 per hour for paralegal fees to investigate the complaint against Kadri, according to a May 11, 2012 letter.

The total was unavailable.

A breakdown of fees by Dugas are listed below:

• In August, the board was charged $3,136 for matters related to Kadri, including telephone conferences with Kirsten Hoyt, Gregg Adler, Blake, and discussion of a possible settlement.

• In July, the board was charged $1,957.50 for services related to Kadri, including review of the draft report and a newspaper article in which information was leaked, and a conference with Kadri’s lawyer.

• In June, The board was charged $651 for matters related to Kadri, including telephone conferences with Laurie LePine, the district’s director of human resources, Carolyn Dickey, the school district’s business manager and Adler.

• In May, Groton was charged $2,886.50, but much of which invoices indicate was related to him. The lawyer charged for 5.50 hours on May 7 -  the day Kadri was placed on leave – for telephone conferences with Kadri and Hoyt in preparation for and attendance at a school board meeting. Groton was charged $855 for invoices that specify were related to Kadri.