A former principal in Queens will not be allowed to teach students after being accused of fraud, but instead will be given a $180,000 per year desk job and retirement benefits until he “irrevocably” retires in 2029.
The New York Post reports that former principal Khurshid Abdul-Mutakabbir was “booted for fraud” after investigations from the Post and local government exposed the creation of “fake classes,” credits to being “awarded” to “failing students,” and “fixed grades to push kids out the door,” according to the New York Post.
As part of a generous settlement agreement, he will never have access to students again, but gets to keep working for the Department of Education until he retires in 2029.
Abdul-Mutakabbir, who appears to still list himself as an “Educator / Principal / Teacher” for the New York City school system on LinkedIn, will “pocket his current $187,043 annual salary,” and receive “all union-negotiated pay raises for principals” despite not being allowed near students. Additionally, Abdul-Mutakabbir will “enjoy paid vacations and holidays, plus full health and retirement benefits, which will cost at least $78,558 a year in addition.”
Despite being given such a generous settlement, Abdul-Mutakabbir appears to have other skills that could lead to gainful employment.
A LinkedIn profile that appears to match Abdul-Mutakabbir reveals he graduated with a degree in finance, and previously worked at both Citi and Deutsch Bank, the latter as a financial analyst.
In one comment, the former principal’s apparent profile lamented the cruelty of the Board of Education.
Encouraging a colleague who claimed she was denied a medical sabbatical, the account named Khurshid Abdul-Mutakabbir wrote, “It is so disappointing to hear how you were treated after all your years of leadership, sacrifice & commitment.”
“I hate to admit it but that type of inhumane treatment from the DOE is not that unusual.”
The City Councilmen who “first called attention” to the former principal’s activities “was outraged” to learn of the settlement package, which was initially withheld from the public, reports the Post.
