Fired official gets job back, for now
The Camden school board rehired James Thornton for 6 months so he can get a pension.
Camden schools security chief James Thornton - fired last month - has been reinstated by the school board for six months in a move that would allow him to draw a state pension.
Without public comment, the board unanimously approved a resolution Monday night rescinding its decision last month terminating Thornton's $80,135 annual contract. His dismissal would have been effective Saturday.
The nine-member board also approved a separation agreement that allows Thornton to remain on the payroll until Jan. 18 and receive health benefits.
The details of the agreement were made public yesterday. It bars Thornton and the board from filing any civil action or making disparaging remarks about the other.
"I'm happy with the direction I'm going," Thornton said. "I'm ready to move on."
With the reinstatement, Thornton, 56, of Pennsauken, can accrue the nine months needed to become vested in the state pension system. He had nine years and three months' service with the district as of March 31, state officials said.
"You don't qualify to receive a pension unless you've been in the pension system for 10 years," said Mark Perkiss, a spokesman for the state Department of Treasury.
If he retires in January, Thornton would be eligible to receive a $14,707 annual pension, or $1,225 a month. He also receives a $1,378 monthly pension as a retired Camden County law enforcement officer.
It appears unlikely that Thornton, who was placed on paid administrative leave in May, will return to the district.
The agreement stipulates that "unless otherwise directed by the Camden City Board of Education, he will not come on to school property except in connection with a school or class event, sports event, or Board of Education event."
"He's not going to be in the office doing any work," said district spokesman Bart Leff.
The agreement must be approved by Gov. Corzine, who has veto authority over the board's actions.
The board voted to reappoint Thornton on May 7. He does not have tenure and his contract was subject to annual renewal. Two days later, he was put on administrative leave by acting Superintendent JoAnne Manning. A week later, the board voted to dismiss him without publicly stating a reason.