Schools

Board of Education Outlines Plans to Address Incident

Statement issued at press conference today.

This statement is being made on behalf of the members of the Wayne Township Board of Education.

The last three weeks have been a very difficult and emotional time for the Wayne community. The events that allegedly occurred at a private party on Oct. 29, which involved several students, has left a black mark on our community. This is not characteristic of the majority of our 8,700 students who truly reflect the good of our district and community. The Wayne Board of Education believes that violence is unacceptable related to our school, connected to extra-curricular activities, or in our community.

Today, the Wayne Board of Education will outline an action plan that will be initiated and implemented over the next several weeks to ensure that a similar situation does not happen again.

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The majority of people are upset with the administration and the Board of Education’s handling of this matter. It is clear that most believe in the bright line test of, “if you are arrested, you are guilty.” One must understand several factors, which complicated the situation. The administration and Board must follow the law. No one was arrested at the scene. It was almost eight days later that charges were brought. We were not provided with police reports, and to this day, do not know on what basis the charges were made.

The police, because of the ongoing investigation, could not divulge any information to the school district. The concern was that the criminal investigation would be hampered and compromised. The Board of Education was notified of the charges by the Superintendent on Nov. 9. We had board members who asked that this matter be reviewed as a possible case of Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (HIB). Based on the information provided at this time, the board was advised that this incident was not an HIB matter.

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Since this incident was reported to the superintendent, there have been ongoing discussions and analysis as to the case that indicated that the students could not be suspended from extracurricular activities for our of school misconduct except under limited circumstances. The Ramapo case was the basis for initially allowing the students in question to continue to participate in extra-curricular activities.

The Board of Education met on Monday and Wednesday Nov. 14 and 16 to discuss this matter. It was brought to the board’s attention that applicable law permits suspension from extracurricular activities for alleged misconduct, which occurs off school grounds, when there is a “substantial and material impact on the operation of the school.” Initially, both High School principals reported that there was no impact being observed.

During the meeting, with the support of the board, the superintendent made the statement that that the students charged would not be permitted to participate in extra-curricular activities from this date to a date to be determined based on facts, information or legal decisions. The accused students required an appeal hearing on Nov. 17. In closed session, the attorneys representing the students provided information, including testimony of witnesses. Additional, the board was seeking to hear further from the police and/or the alleged victims. The board of education never voted to overturn the superintendent’s decision. Rather, the board stayed or held the decision in abeyance pending further hearings, which were scheduled for Nov. 29. However, on Nov. 23, the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office sent a letter to the superintendent and stated in relevant part that “any testimony taken by the board of education of any of the witnesses or victims in this case may directly jeopardize the ongoing investigation and prosecution of this matter.” Accordingly, the board will adhere to that request and will not be taking any additional information or testimony regarding this incident.

It is time for us to outline steps that the board of education will undertake immediately, as well as, throughout the next several weeks:

  • The stay to the superintendent’s action is hereby lifted, and the nine students who have been charged in all extra-curricular activities, including school sports teams, effective immediately and through a further legal determination. A significant basis for this determination is that there has been a substantial impact in the schools, and the reversal by the high school principals, which now, is that this issue is disrupting the daily operations in the buildings.
  • We will be introducing a unified student athlete code of conduct. At present, each school has their own, and they differ from school to school.
  • We will be asking our new superintendent, Dr. Ray Gonzalez, to assemble a task force to look at this matter and to report back to the board of education with recommendations to improve process, procedure, and policy.
  • We will ask our legislators to arrange a meeting with Acting Commissioner Cerf to better define NJAC 6A: 16-7.6, so that administrators and boards of education can act more effectively.
  • We will ask state Attorney General Paula Dowd to monitor this case as it proceeds through the judicial process, and to review the incident under the harassment intimidation and bullying statute.
  • We will develop programs dealing with conflict resolution, non-violent communication skills, anger management, and bystander responsibility.
  • We will be looking at the possible creation of a school disciplinarian position in the high schools.
  • We will be reviewing our policies to address the conflict of interest concerns when administrators, and/or supervisor act as a coach or assistant coach.
  • The audio transcripts of the hearing of Nov. 17, will be forwarded to the Passaic County prosecutor’s office and the Wayne Police Criminal Investigation Unit.
  • Lastly, we are directing the superintendent to immediately commence an investigation into all actions and conduct relating to the handling of this situation by the administrators at both high schools.


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