Sarlo Wants Wall Superintendent to Explain Plan to Spend State Funds for Private Tuition

Trenton – Senator Paul Sarlo today called on Wall Township Schools Superintendent Tracy Handerhan to appear before the Senate Budget Committee to explain why Wall education officials plan to use taxpayer funds to pay for private school tuition for students charged in a criminal investigation of hazing incidents at Wall High School.

“I want to know why they think they can use state and local funds to pay tuition at private schools for students being charged with criminal offenses for hazing incidents,” said Senator Sarlo, who is chair of the Senate Budget Committee. “These are serious allegations that can’t be ‘shipped off’ to other schools, especially if they use taxpayer money. The superintendent has some explaining to do.”

The Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office said several Wall students have been charged with hazing and sex offenses related to attacks in the football team’s locker room last September and October.

Reports surfaced last week that the school board offered to pay private school tuition so that at least two of the alleged assailants could attend a new school for the second half of the current school year and for the 2022-2023 school year.

Senator Sarlo reacted by calling for the resignation of Superintendent Handerhan and the entire school board. Handerhan’s dismissive response, essentially telling Senator Sarlo to mind his own business, demonstrates a refusal to accept the seriousness of the situation, Senator Sarlo said.

Senator Sarlo is a long-time youth sports coach and the father of two athletes.

“The hazing allegations are deeply disturbing and the failed reaction by top school officials makes the situation even worse,” said Senator Sarlo. “School officials have a responsibility to protect students from abuse and to respond swiftly and decisive responses when these abuses occur. Coming up with a scheme to transfer the alleged assailants out of town at taxpayers’ expense is not the appropriate reaction.”