Browne's resignation becomes effective on Tuesday
RANDOLPH -- David M. Browne, the superintendent for the Randolph School District, has resigned from his post, effective on Tuesday, the school board announced Monday night.
Browne's resignation came 13 days after he was injured in a fire at his Wyckoff residence on the same day he was placed on administrative leave by the school board. The board changed his leave that day from a family medical leave he took at the start of the school year to an administrative leave.
Tammy MacKay, president of the Randolph board, announced Browne's resignation in a statement issued after a school board meeting Monday night. He has been earning $167,500 annually.
MacKay announced that the board accepted Browne's resignation "for the purpose of retirement."
MORE: School official placed on leave same day he's injured in fire
Although Browne's contract runs through June 30, 2018, the separation agreement reached with Browne provides him with three months of compensation and the payout of "contractually required" unused sick and vacation days, MacKay said.
"The board and Dr. Browne determined that it was in the best interest of both parties to end the employment relationship at this time," MacKay said. "The board reviewed this matter closely and determined that the separation agreement reached with Dr. Browne was the most appropriate course of action for moving forward in a timely and cost-effective manner."
Replacing Browne, for the time being, is Jennifer Fano, the assistant superintendent.
Fano, who has been serving as acting superintendent, now becomes interim superintendent as the board begins the process of filling the superintendent's job, MacKay said.
PLUS: Randolph schools superintendent injured in Wyckoff house fire
Board members have declined to provide further details for Browne's leave, citing personnel reasons. Comments on the resignation were referred to the board attorney, Mark Zitomer, who could not immediately be reached.
A statement posted Monday night at the board's website announced the change. It praised Fano's abilities and also said, "As you may be aware, the school board and administrative staff are constrained by law from discussing certain aspects of personnel matters, so you may have questions about this transition we are unable to answer."
A woman who answered the phone at Browne's Wyckoff residence told NJ Advance Media he was unavailable and hung up the phone.
Hours before Browne was officially placed on administrative leave, a fire broke out at the attached garage of his Wyckoff home.
The contents of the garage were destroyed and Browne was hospitalized after suffering burns, but his injuries were not believed to be life-threatening, Wyckoff Police Chief Benjamin Fox said.
Staff writer Justin Zaremba contributed reporting to this article.
Ben Horowitz may be reached at bhorowitz@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @HorowitzBen. Find NJ.com on Facebook.