Former Ellington School Official Target of Investigation

The Enfield school system's new chief financial officer abruptly left his longtime post in Ellington after an internal investigation into “irregularities” in certain school accounts, according to documents obtained by Patch under Freedom of Information law.

Anthony Littizzio, director of business services for the since 1982, was placed on paid administrative leave by Ellington Superintendent of Schools Stephen Cullinan following a fact-finding meeting on Feb. 2. Littizzio remained on leave until his retirement date of June 30.

In a Feb. 3 letter from Cullinan to Littizzio, the superintendent informed Littizzio he was "being placed on administrative leave without prejudice, while an investigation is being conducted regarding apparent irregularities in certain Board of Education accounts," referring to the internal investigation.

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In that same letter, Littizzio was ordered to turn in his keys, cell phone, iPad and computer. He was barred from school grounds, "and may not access Board of Education buildings, personnel, equipment or resources in any way." Littizzio was directed to not contact any Ellington School District personnel on matters related to work, and that "there may be no retaliation against any employees who may be called upon to participate in the investigation."

Cullinan wrote, "I plan to complete this investigation as quickly as possible and will keep the investigation as confidential as possible."

In a July 20, 2012 email to Patch responding to several inquiries related to Littizzio’s separation with Ellington, Cullinan wrote, "I am not aware of any missing money. I am not aware of any police investigation.”

Last week, in response to an email query from Patch requesting a meeting, Littizzio wrote that he enjoyed his 35 years in Ellington and “took great pride” in his “achievements and accomplishments,” but that he had “no desire to discuss (his) decision to retire from Ellington.” Littizzio concluded by writing that he looks forward to “serving the residents and children of Enfield as part of a new and exciting administrative team."

On Feb. 29, Cullinan sent a second letter to Littizzio informing him that the Ellington school board would be meeting in a private executive session with the school board’s attorney on March 5 to discuss his "recent actions regarding Board of Education accounts."

After 73 minutes the board returned to open session and accepted Littizzio’s resignation, “for the purposes of retirement” and authorized Cullinan “to execute all documents necessary to effect the resignation as discussed in executive session," according to the meeting minutes.

Those documents included a six-page General Release and Settlement Agreement. That agreement contained 18 points, including:

• Cullinan would provide a letter of reference for Littizzio.
• Littizzio would remain on paid leave of absence through June 30 and be paid 90 days of his 2011-12 salary, which was $105,444.
• Littizzio would be provided "with the opportunity to remove all personal effects from his office."
• The board and Littizzio agreed to not file any further claims or actions against one another, and waived their rights "to recover any and all relief in any judicial, quasi-judicial, administrative or arbitration proceeding, suit or action filed" for any reason, with "except for matters of a criminal nature" added to the board's part of that point.
• Littizzio agreed "to withdraw and obtain dismissal, with prejudice, of any and all charges, if any there be, filed with any state or federal court and any state, federal or other governmental or administrative agency, which relate in any way to Mr. Littizzio's employment with and separation from employment with the Board."
• Both parties agreed, "to the extent possible under the law, not to make public or disclose to anyone in any manner the terms of this Agreement."

While on leave from Ellington, Littizzio interviewed for the chief financial officer position with Enfield Public Schools. He was hired on May 11, and officially started work on June 4 at a salary of $110,028, according to Chris Drezek, deputy superintendent of Enfield schools.

In the letter of reference provided to Littizzio by Cullinan for the Enfield position, the superintendent said Littizzio "strove to continually update and modernize business practices often resulting in greater efficiencies." He also praised Littizzio for initiating and supervising a transportation program for special education.

"Mr. Littizzio's strengths have been his knowledge of board and municipal financial operations and his willingness to put in the extensive time necessary for the completion of his responsibilities, including many hours outside the 'regular' workday," Cullinan wrote.