Dr. Paul Tirrell, who questioned the Cooperstown Central School board of education about principal David Pearlman during a recent meeting, has received an answer to his Freedom of Information Law request.

Tirrell asked for an accounting of expenditures related to disciplinary action taken by district against the middle school principal. The disciplinary action includes a 3020-a hearing for insubordination.

Tirrell's request was filed on March 23. The district responded on April 4.

According to the district, Pearlman's salary has remained at $70,351 from 1998 to present, Tirrell said.

Legal fees for local attorney Lynn Green were $9,750 in 1998-1999 and $12,175 in 1999-2000.

During the 1999-2000 school year, $25,947 was spent on BOCES labor relations, negotiations and human resources. Tirrell said that during the 2000-2001 school year, the district paid a $15,500 "coser fee" for cooperative services.

Pearlman went on medical leave in April of 1999 for depression. Later that year he returned to work and has been on "special administrative assignment" working from the BOCES office in Milford since that time.

Pearlman's position is being filled by acting middle school principal and athletic director Michael Cring, who earns $282 a day for filling the vacancy. Cring's slot has been supplemented in his absence at a price of $100 per day by long-term substitute gym teacher Howard Britton.

A source close to the case, who did not wish to be identified, said that Pearlman recently went to his 20th 3020-a hearing session and that the sessions last from four to six hours each.

Acting on the advice of counsel, Pearlman declined to comment. He recently said that his main objective has been to return to his job.

District superintendent Mary Jo McPhail said, " The information requested by Dr. Paul Tirrell through the Freedom of Information Law regarding the district's legal costs has been provided, and represents all of the district's costs for legal services, labor relations, negotiations and any matter coming before the district. During the 1999-2000 school year, we were negotiating contracts with two employee groups and these moneys covered those expenses for negotiation services."