MIDDLETOWN, NJ— Imagine having a job where you can work two and a half hours every day. You would have to be the president of a powerful public union, but for one Middletown teacher, it’s a dream job, and he doesn’t have to imagine.
Middletown school teacher Michael Mason leaves school every day at around 10:30 a.m. Some parents within the district who have asked Shore News Network to investigate said they are told it is part of his deal with the school district and the NJEA.
We couldn’t confirm that. In fact, the district would not even respond to our multiple inquiries on the topic.
Mason earns $89,805 annually as a school teacher and only works a few hours a day inside a classroom, educating students. The rest of his day is spent on ‘union time,’ which taxpayers pay for. Mason, on his LinkedIn account, also works for the Middletown Education Association (MTEA), the local branch of the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA).
But that’s where it ends. After multiple requests from school officials and Mason, the district has refused to comment on the matter.
We have sent multiple requests for comment to Middletown School Board President Frank Capone, Superintendent Jessica Alfone, and others in the administration, but all have refused to comment on why the MTEA president is being paid to be at home for most of each school work day.
Additionally, one parent, who wished to remain anonymous, said she was provided screenshots of NJEA President Sean Spiller on video display advertisements all over Atlantic City during the annual League of Municipalities meeting. Spiller is running for New Jersey Governor.
“If the NJEA can pay millions of dollars for their president to run for governor and stay at a fancy hotel room in Atlantic City, the NJEA can pay for the time Mr. Mason spends at home each day, not teaching our children,” she said.
We attempted to reach Mason by phone today, and again, he refused to comment on the matter. At this point, the district has not provided any explanation of the teacher’s repeated daily early morning dismissal. We also invite the district to respond to our multiple email and text/phone requests on this matter.
Do you have a complaint not being heard at your local school board or district? Let us know, email news@shorenewsnetwork.com.