Removal of Manalapan HS Principal 'Essential,' Superintendent Says

Charles Sampson, Superintendent of the , spoke publicly for the first time about the administrative changes the district has made in response to the investigation of former Principal Jeff Simon at the Board of Education meeting on Monday night.

and Jennifer Sharp has been named the acting principal of the high school in the interim. Additionally, Manalapan High School Assistant Principal Thomas Gallahue was reassigned to Freehold Township High School as assistant principal, and the assistant principal of Freehold Township High School, Adam Angelozzi, has been temporarily assigned as assistant principal of Manalapan High School.

Under the law, the Board and administration are very restricted in what they are able to publicly discuss about personnel matters, Sampson said, "especially until the Board is ready to take public action." No action was taken by the Board of Education relating to Simon's administrative investigation at Monday's meeting.

Sampson said that all administrative changes made were executed by him and that he has followed all legal procedure in keeping the Board of Education and administration informed of his actions.

"These personnel actions derived from a set of circumstances which is still under investigation," the superintendent said. "Although my office, with the assistance of counsel, has moved very swiftly and efficiently, there is still a great deal of work to be completed on our end."

Sampson apologized for not being able to say more at the present time, and said he understood the stress that these changes have had on the Manalapan High School students, staff, and parents.

"Decisions of this nature are never taken lightly," Sampson said. "Our actions were driven by concerns about specific events - and I'll be clear - none of these events have anything to do with the welfare of any children in the building. These actions were taken as essential and are in the best interest of the Freehold Regional High School District."

Manalapan High School is functioning very well and there has been no disruption to the operation of the school since the administrative changes have been made, according to Sampson.

"Moving forward, circumstances will dictate how much more, if anything, I am able to report at the next Board of Education meeting, or in subsequent meetings," Sampson said.

During the Board of Education meeting the law requires that due deference be made to any affected staff, according to Sampson, and the Board followed the law. The superintendent spoke prior to the public comment portion of the meeting so that audience members were made aware of the limited ability the Board has to comment on the investigation, which is meant with no disrespect to the public. No questions concerning Simon's investigation were asked by the public.