Paterson school administrator, accused of paying vendor for work never performed, resigns to settle tenure charges
By Jayed Rahman
Published: December 3, 2020
A school district administrator, who was brought up on tenure charges — misuse and mishandling of public funds and misconduct — for allegedly paying a vendor for work that was never performed, has resigned as part of a settlement agreement.
Tobi Knehr, who worked as the director of full service community school and grant procurement, submitted her resignation letter on August 4. Her resignation is effective March 31, 2021, according to public records.
Knehr’s salary was approximately $110,000. Tenure charges against her were filed in December 2018.
What’s in the settlement?
Under the settlement agreement, Knehr will be paid $77,125, a pro-rata portion of her salary for the period September 1 through December 31. She will also receive $2,100 in longevity and other benefits guaranteed to teachers under their labor contract.
She will also be allowed to cash out 32.25 accrued vacation days from the 2017-18 school year that amounts to $13,609. She will be paid the sum in three equal installments beginning on January 15, 2021, according to the agreement.
Knehr will continue to receive her health benefits until March 31, 2021.
“The settlement is in the best interest of both parties in that it provides certainty and finality to this matter and avoids an expensive and protracted hearing which would have included many witnesses for both parties and whose outcome, given the nature of matters such as this, is uncertain. This settlement does not and should not be construed as an admission by either party,” reads the agreement between the district and Knehr.
School board members approved the settlement agreement on September 16.
Knehr had been working for the school district since 2002, according to payroll records.
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