Acupuncture in Marlboro Township, NJ

Jenna Sciabica alleges that school district officials violated her constitutional rights by forcing her resignation without due process.

MARLBORO, NJ — A former Marlboro Township teacher who was accused of molesting one of her students but later cleared has filed a federal lawsuit against township and school officials as well as the student’s parents, alleging violations of her civil rights.

Jenna Sciabica, who was a special education teacher at Marlboro Memorial Middle School, was accused at a Board of Education meeting in April 2024 of molesting one of her students in a school hallway on March 13, an incident authorities said was caught on camera.

After the girl’s parents made their accusations public at the board meeting, Sciabica was charged with harassment-offensive touching. She was later found not guilty of the charge after prosecutors found there was no sexual offense committed in the hallway.

In May 2024, the girl’s parents filed a lawsuit against Sciabica, the school district and several other people in connection with the incident, which Sciabica followed with a counter lawsuit in October 2024 against the girl’s parents, school officials and community members who spoke negatively about her online.

On Nov. 6, Sciabica filed a second lawsuit in U.S. District Court under the Civil Rights Act, which names more than 30 defendants and alleges that school district officials violated her constitutional rights by forcing her to resign from her teaching position without due process.

Sciabica alleges that school district officials conducted a “cursory investigation” designed to reach a predetermined conclusion, sent false and stigmatizing information to state licensing authorities, and withheld video evidence of the incident from her for over five-and-a-half months, despite repeated demands.

A request for comment from Marlboro Schools Superintendent Michael Ballone had not been answered as of Wednesday afternoon.

"Ms. Sciabica was denied her fundamental constitutional right to due process," said Jonathan B. Behrins, Sciabica’s attorney.

"She was presumed guilty, forced to resign under duress, and branded with career-ending accusations — all without a fair investigation or the opportunity to defend herself," Behrins continued. "The video evidence was withheld for months, and it simply does not depict what the alleged eyewitnesses said happened."

While the lawsuit acknowledges an interaction between Sciabica and the student in the school hallway in March 2024, the complaint maintains that the interaction involved a “playful reference to a dress fitting” that had occurred the previous week in the presence of the student’s mother.

Despite the incident being described as innocent in nature, the lawsuit alleges that a teacher made false statements to law enforcement about the encounter that contradicted available security footage.

Sciabica resigned from her teaching position in March 2024 following the accusations.

"Jenna's case shows what happens when lies are leveraged for profit and an angry, misinformed mob subverts due process to cancel a teacher," Behrins said. "We will vindicate Ms. Sciabica’s cancellation, restore her reputation, and ensure that those who nearly destroyed this woman by mob rule are held fully accountable."

Through the federal lawsuit, Sciabica is seeking compensatory damages, the restoration of her employment benefits and pension credits, declaratory relief, attorney’s fees and injunctive relief requiring a retraction of defamatory statements and removal of stigmatizing accusations from her employment and licensing records.

In a statement sent to Patch, Nima Ameri, the attorney for the student’s family, said filing the lawsuit while the exact subject matter is pending in state court shows either “a lack of understanding of the law” or an attempt to continue “frivolous positions.”

“The recent attempt to file a suit in Federal Court, while the exact subject matter is pending in State Court, shows us either a lack of understanding of the law, or an attempt to continue these frivolous positions,” Ameri told Patch. “The lack of accountability by Miss Sciabica is shocking to our clients.”

Previous Coverage

MARLBORO, NJ — Voters have approved a bond referendum from the Marlboro Township Public School District to bring air conditioning to classrooms at Asher Holmes and Robertsville Elementary Schools, according to unofficial results in the 2025 General Election.

As of Wednesday morning, unofficial results show that 8,407 voters (63.56%) approved the referendum while 4,819 voters (36.44%) rejected it. Results are not official until certified by the Monmouth County Clerk’s Office.

With voter approval, district officials said this referendum will complete a district-wide air conditioning goal, providing all students with comfortable learning environments that help them maintain focus and learn better.

“The Marlboro community has shown its support for providing comfortable, energy-efficient learning environments for all of our students and staff,” Superintendent Michael Ballone said. “With this approval, we can finish the districtwide goal to add air conditioning in each school. We can bring state funding to Marlboro to help cover the cost.”

According to district officials, the voter-approved referendum ensures that Marlboro can gain up to $2.1 million in state aid to help offset part of the referendum’s total $5.3 million cost.

Combined with the district’s capital reserve, officials said this will allow Marlboro to complete air conditioning additions without increasing the tax rate.

“The approval of this referendum reflects what we can accomplish together when we put our students first,” Board of Education President Brian Cohen said. “It shows that our community understands that students learn best when they're in a comfortable environment. We are very grateful to everyone who helped share the message and build understanding throughout our community."

Over the past several years, Marlboro Township Public Schools has gradually added air conditioning to schools that didn’t have it.

Six of the district’s eight schools currently have A/C throughout their buildings, and while some large areas at Asher Holmes and Robertsville Elementary Schools are cooled, most classrooms are not.

With approval from voters, district officials said the next steps in the referendum process include:

Bonds would be sold to investors, who provide up-front funding for capital improvements, officials said. The district would also capture a kind of state aid that comes with bond funding and would then pay off the loan with money saved up from the district's capital reserve account.

Marlboro Township Public Schools aims to begin A/C installation in summer 2026, with completion targeted for spring 2027.

Previous Coverage

Voters in Lacey and Marlboro townships passed school infrastructure spending initiatives that will fund upgrades, but not raise local taxes.

In both districts, state funding will support about 40% of the costs to replace or install air conditioning in buildings. The Lacey Township schools' project will also repair aging roofs on several buildings.

Lacey voters approve school spending

Lacey voters here approved a $28.9 million spending plan that will fund roof repairs and double roof insulation at five schools.

The spending plan will also replace HVAC systems in Lacey High School, Middle School and Lanoka Harbor Elementary School.

State aid will cover 40%, or $11.5 million, of the total costs, according to school officials.

The new spending will coincide with the district finishing a debt repayment plan in March 2026. The expiring debt means the building repairs will not raise local school taxes, district officials said.

The spending initiative will also remove old solar panels that are overdue for replacement, according to the district. New solar panels will be installed at no cost to taxpayers, district officials said in a video posted to the school district website.

"This essential infrastructure project is not a matter of choice, but a mandatory and financially responsible investment to protect our schools and prevent massive, unbudgeted expenses in the near future," Acting Superintendent William Zylinski said last month. "The reality is that the roofs on nearly all our buildings have reached the end of their useful lives."

The approval is a departure from a failed referendum initiative last March, when Lacey voters rejected three ballot questions for school repairs. That $92 million failed plan would have funded — in addition to new roofs and HVAC upgrades — library renovations, locker room and restroom projects.

Voters approved the measure by 7,326 to 5,583, according to unofficial results.

Marlboro schools' referendum passes

Marlboro voters approved a $5.3 million plan to install air conditioning in two schools, which is called the "no sweat, no debt" initiative by Marlboro Township School District officials. The plan would install air conditioning in the Asher Holmes and Robertsville elementary schools, which serve students in first through fifth grade.

State aid would cover up to $2.1 million of the costs, school officials said. The district's Capital Reserve fund would pay for the rest, according to school officials.

Currently, only some portions of both schools have air conditioning, while most classrooms remain without cooling, according to school officials.

"The Marlboro community has shown its support for providing comfortable, energy efficient learning environments for all of our students and staff," Superintendent Michael Ballone said by email. "With this approval, we can finish the districtwide goal to add air conditioning in each school. We can bring state funding to Marlboro to help cover the cost. All of this can be accomplished with zero increase in the tax rate for this school referendum."

The measure passed by 8,407 to 4,819, according to unofficial results.

Amanda Oglesby is an Ocean County native who covers education and the environment. She has worked for the Press for more than 17 years. Reach her at aoglesby@gannettnj.com or 732-557-5701.

The event brought together over 600 students, families, staff and more for an evening centered on kindness, connection and shared purpose.

MARLBORO, NJ — Marlboro Township Public Schools recently hosted its second annual Community Unity celebration, bringing together 600+ students, families, staff, dignitaries, and community partners for an evening centered on kindness, connection, and shared purpose, while also recognizing the birth of the nation for America250.

On Nov. 13, the celebration opened with a kindness-focused video set to Matisyahu’s song “One Day,” setting the tone for a night that highlighted the district’s commitment to empathy, inclusion, and unity.

Superintendent Michael Ballone also welcomed attendees to the event with a message underscoring the power of community and discussed the values that the event celebrated.

“Your presence here tonight speaks volumes about the strength and spirit of Marlboro,” Ballone said. “This evening celebrates the heart, creativity, and humanity that make this community such a special place to live, learn, and grow.”

For 2025, district officials said the Community Unity celebration aligned with the district’s vision and connected to America250, a celebration honoring 250 years of unity, community, and kindness.

As part of this observance, Marlboro Township Public Schools launched an initiative encouraging 250+ acts of kindness across all schools, visually represented through a districtwide paper chain display created by students.

The evening also featured student performances, a Veterans’ Day tribute, presentations promoting kindness, and opportunities for families to explore community tables, engage with district partners, and visit the Monmouth NJ 250 traveling exhibit.

Cultural and faith leaders, local officials, and district educators were also recognized for their support and partnership in strengthening the district’s mission of unity and respect.

Visiting author Tracey Roegiers joined the celebration to share her book, The Paper Chain of Kindness, which connected directly to the evening.

In his closing remarks, Superintendent Ballone reflected on the significance of the evening.

“Tonight reminds us that unity isn’t a moment — it’s a responsibility we carry forward together,” Ballone said. “One act of kindness at a time, one connection at a time, we can continue to build a community where everyone feels they belong.”

Marlboro Township Public Schools extended its thanks to students, families, staff, and community partners for making the second annual Community Unity event a meaningful success and looks forward to continuing this tradition in the years ahead.

To learn more, you can visit the Marlboro Township Public Schools website.

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About Lend Mortgage - Anthony Marone:

Lend Mortgage is a Marlboro Township, New Jersey-based mortgage lender led by Anthony Marone. With a focus on flexibility and clarity, the firm delivers home loan solutions designed to support a wide range of borrower needs. From first-time buyers to homeowners seeking refinancing, the mortgage company provides transparent guidance throughout the lending process. The company’s services are rooted in a commitment to helping individuals and families make informed financial decisions related to homeownership.

Media Contact

NameLend Mortgage - Anthony MaroneContact nameAnthony MaroneContact phone(732) 289-5600Contact address708 Ginesi Drive #205CityMarlboro TownshipStateNew JerseyZip07751CountryUnited StatesUrlhttps://lendmortgage.com/