3 Former Twp., School Administrators Receiving $100K Yearly Pensions

Two former Morris school administrators and a Morris Township administrator are currently collecting pensions of more than $100,000 annually, according to a New Jersey Watchdog report released this week.

While the report focused on the “$100K Club” and its 75-percent increase in members over the past three years, the report broke down each New Jersey municipality’s former employees and the pensions they are collecting.

As of Dec. 31, 2013, there were 1,731 retired public employees collecting more than $100,000 annually the report said. That number increased by 739 from 2010. There are more than 275,000 retired public workers in the state, the report said.

Among them locally and topping the list was Linday Murphy, the former Morristown High School principal who retired in 2013. Murphy was reassigned from her post as principal in 2012 to a position in human resources and community engagement under a one-year contract with the district. She is currently receiving $109,794 annually. 

Former Morris Township administrator Ferdinand (Fred) Rossi is also on the list, receiving an annual payment of $103,070. Rossi retired from the township in January 2011.

After retiring in June 2010, Anita Barber, the former Alfred Vail School principal, has been receiving an annual pension payout of $101,442, the report said.

The list showed no law enforcement officials receiving more than $100,000 pensions. 

Topping the list in New Jersey are former Jersey City schools superintendent Charles Epps and Essex County College President A.Z. Yamba. Both are receiving annual pensions of $195,000, the report said. As a municipality, Paterson led the state with 34 retirees hauling in six-figure annual pensions.