Margin On Leave, Acting Super Appointed

Manasquan schools staff this morning was notified that Geraldine Margin, district superintendent since 2007, is on leave from her duties effective immediately, according to a letter dated Sept. 4 from school board President Michelle LaSala (letter is attached to this story). 

Robert J. Mahon, former chief of the Ocean Township school district, has been appointed acting superintendent, the letter says. 

Mahon also has served as interim superintendent of several other districts, including Belmar, Brielle and Spring Lake Heights, the letter says. 

Mahon currently is the mayor of Avon-By-The-Sea. 

Manasquan's school board tonight is in the Elementary School cafeteria to discuss Margin's performance — the third such meeting in as many months. Action may be taken, the meeting notice says. 

Officials previously have declined to comment on details surrounding the meetings, but the board in July passed a resolution to set aside an additional $20,000 in legal fees for its attorney, R. Armen McComber. 

McComber has said the district is involved in "more than one, less than five" items of actual or possible litigation.

One of those items is a suit filed by the ice hockey rink — which has accused the district of being in breach of its contract — used by the High School's team last season, but any others are still considered closed-session items. 

Margin, the district's superintendent since 2007, has three years remaining on her second contract, signed in 2011.

Her base salary is $157,500 with annual merit increases of up to 14.99 percent. 

Upon her retirement, Margin is eligible for up to $15,000 in compensation for unused sick days.

While staff returned to work today, the first day of classes for students is Wednesday.