Former Schools Super Tops Barnegat, Stafford '100K Retiree Club'

Nine retired employees of public agencies in Barnegat and Stafford townships received pensions in excess of $100,000 in 2013, according to a report out this week from NJ Watchdog, a taxpayer advocacy group.

The list is topped locally by a former Stafford Township schools superintendent, who is among the state's most well-paid pensioners.

New Jersey’s so-called '$100K Club' of retired public officials has ballooned by 75 percent in the last three years, the group said this week following its conducting of an analysis of state treasury data.

The report comes as state pension funds face a $47 billion shortfall, according to the treasury’s estimate. Gov. Chris Christie is expected to address pension issues in his budget address today.

"We need to have the conversation now about further changes to our pension system and to adding further to the state’s debt load,” said Christie in his State of the State address last month. “If we do not choose to reduce our soaring pension and debt service costs, we will miss the opportunity to improve the lives of every New Jersey citizen, not just a select few."

Locally, one of the employees is from the Barnegat school district while eight are from either the Stafford district or municipal government; one is from the Southern Regional school district.

Topping the local list is former Stafford schools superintendent Karen DeStefano, who earns $132,547 per year, or $11,046 per month, in her retirement.

The other individuals on the list are:

• Thomas Conroy, Stafford, $119,707/year
• Michael A. Guadalupe, Stafford, 101,265/year.
• Gregory McNally, Stafford, $116,957/year
• Larry D. Parker, Stafford, $124,433
• Charles Schweigart, Stafford, $107,802
• Ronald Meinders, Stafford BOE, $100,771
• Robert Horbelt, Barnegat BOE, $106,719
• James Kerfoot, Southern Regional, $103,329