Wall Board of Education, music teachers sued by parents of a 4th-grade girl who, they allege, was put in a drum closet for laughing.

|Updated Mon, Oct 30, 2023 at 2:39 pm ET

The incident involving the fourth-grade girl took place April 8, 2022, when, the suit alleges, the student's instrumental music class teacher isolated her in a drum closet for two to three minutes because she was "allegedly laughing," said attorney Austin Tobin, representing the family and the student.

Edward and Azuree Albanese, parents of the student, are suing the Wall Board of Education and teacher Jessica Berube and another teacher, Adrienne Foutz, according to the complaint filed Oct. 13.

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"School is a place for students to not only learn an academic curriculum, but should also serve as an environment for children to cultivate confidence and engage in meaningful social interaction. It is therefore incumbent upon teachers, administrators, and staff to facilitate a positive and inclusive social setting where students feel safe at all times," the suit sets forth.

Tobin said that, in this case, the Wall administration and teachers "completely and utterly abdicated these responsibilities."

The suit alleges that the board "has still, to this day, failed to (1) conduct an appropriate investigation into the April 8, 2022 incident or (2) take any meaningful remedial action with respect to same."

The suit alleges these incidents:

According to the suit, the parents of the student were never contacted directly by a school employee at any point in time on April 8, 2022, or after to advise that the incident took place.

"In fact, (the) parents only became aware of same the following day at a softball game at which time they were informed of same from a parent whose child was in (the) class."

According to the complaint, after learning of the April 8, 2022 incident, Mrs. Albanese complained to the principal of Central Elementary School, Jill Antoniello via email and telephone on April 9, 2022. At that time, Antoniello stated that Foutz had denied that the girl was put in the closet in Berube’s classroom.

Albanese also informed her daughter's 4th-grade teacher of the incident and told her that it had been difficult to convince the girl to return to school due to the aftermath of the incident.

The suit also recounts the emotional reaction of the student after the incident:

After the incident, the girl "was continuously humiliated and embarrassed at school, as students constantly asked (her) if she was, in fact, put inside the classroom closet. As a result, the girl experienced "a mental health crisis at school on May 10, 2022, necessitating immediate intervention by the school guidance counselor, Lauren Young," according to the lawsuit. The suit did not specify the nature of the crisis.

The girl "continues to experience severe emotional distress and trauma as a result of the April 8, 2022 incident. She experiences periods of anxiousness, has no longer wanted to attend Central Elementary School for periods of time, and exhibits diminished self-esteem and symptoms of depression," the suit says.

The suit says that the school and teachers involved "were, clearly and unequivocally, grossly negligent and reckless in permitting (the student) to be subjected to such unlawful conduct. Fortunately, New Jersey law provides redress for victims of such conduct."

Tobin said neither he nor the parents have had a response or legal answer on the matter from the district. The district, as a public entity, was given notice of the complaint, as required by law, six months before the filing of the suit, he noted.

The district did not immediately respond to Patch with a response.

Tobin is an attorney with McOmber McOmber & Luber, with several offices, including one in Red Bank.

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WALL, NJ — Visits and pictures with Santa are treasured traditions for many Wall-area families. For them, there’s nothing quite like seeing jolly old St. Nick live and in person.

In Wall, kids can catch up with Santa at these events:

Dec. 2, 3 weekends through Dec. 16, 17: New Jersey Museum of Transportation presents the Christmas Express with Santa, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays. Fare is $7 for all. is Located at Allaire State Park on Route 524, Wall. Click the museum's Facebook site for details.

Dec. 8: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. (rain date Dec. 11) Wall Municipal Building, 2700 Allaire Road, Wall 07719. Annual Holiday Tree Lighting, with craft making, giveaways for the kids, dessert, performances and more. Plus a special visit from Santa Claus.

Dec. 10, 17: Historic Allaire Village - Christmas at Allaire from 12 noon to 4 p.m. on Sundays, Dec. 10 and 17. See the Village transformed into an enchanting showcase of holiday cheer. Visit includes a surprise visit by Santa Claus. Tickets can be purchased in advance for just $8 per person (children 2 and under admitted for free) or at the door (if available) for $10 (children 2 and under admitted for free). Advanced purchase is highly recommended. See the Village event website for more details.

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Dec. 13: 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., Wall Municipal Building (downstairs), 2700 Allaire Road, Wall 07719. Cookies with Santa; Wall residents only, $5 per child, meet Santa, take photos. Register on Community Pass. Youth Center is at 732-681-1375.

And you can find other chances to meet with Santa:

Freehold Raceway Mall, 3710 Route 9, Freehold Township offers "Experience the Magic of Santa." Children can visit Santa’s winter wonderland at the Lower Level, Zara Court. A visit with Santa is always free and photo packages are available for purchase.

Here's how to go about making an appointment: Pre-Booking your visit is recommended to help reduce wait time and it's easy.

There are also special holiday events:

Santa Cares: In partnership with Autism Speaks, the mall has reserved a time for special sensory-friendly Santa experiences. Sunday, Dec. 3 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Pet Night: Bring your favorite pets to see Santa and support the Humane Society with any photo experience on Mondays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Dec. 4. Please enter and exit via the lower level entrance by Old Navy just prior to, and immediately after, your Santa visit.

Check the mall website for other shopping tips and to learn about partnership of the mall and the United Way of Monmouth & Ocean Counties for winter coat donations.

Monmouth Mall: Eatontown, Routes 35 and 36; Santa is now located in the common area opposite Macy's. You can make reservations here for this holiday tradition and see the full schedule. There is also an opportunity for photos for your pet. See the "Santa Paws" site to book a reservation.

Magic of Lights, PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel, through Dec. 30. Sundays to Thursday, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Fridays to Saturdays, 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Enjoy visits with Santa at Toyota Holiday Village.

Santa at American Dream: Here are the hours: https://www.americandream.com/photos-with-santa# They also offer pet photos with Santa Sundays: Dec. 3, 10 and 17 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

WALL, NJ — As the Wall Board of Education begins the search for a new Wall High School principal, details are emerging about how the principal who has been on leave since spring 2022 is being compensated.

Wall High School Principal Rosaleen Sirchio has been on a paid leave since a senior class trip to Disney World in March 2022. The district has not specified the reason for the leave, and the district has not explained any details regarding the trip.

Sirchio, 54, will remain on paid leave and will receive her $200,763 salary until the end of the calendar year, according to a separation agreement obtained by app.com through a public records request. The board will place her on a leave of absence from Jan. 1 to June 30, 2024, according to the media report, during which Sirchio will receive an additional $99,116 payment for accumulated unused sick days, personal days and floating holidays before retiring.

Board President Christine Steitz cited privacy concerns when discussing personnel matters and did not confirm details to Patch about the separation agreement.

"When representing the staff and students of the district, The Board of Education must be mindful to respect the privacy of individuals related to confidential matters and refrain from direct commentary. All members of the Wall Schools community should be secure in the knowledge that their right to privacy will be honored," Steitz said.

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"In the case of any staff member’s departure, it is important to acknowledge that the Board appreciates positive contributions made to our students’ success and our best wishes for future endeavors."

Regarding the search for a new Wall High School principal, she said "At this time, the district, including parent and student representatives, is interviewing candidates to fulfill the permanent position of principal at Wall High School.

Dr. Peter Righi has been acting principal of Wall High School, while Sirchio remains on a paid leave. Righi's appointment was announced at a meeting of the Wall Township Board of Education on Oct. 18, 2022.

Superintendent Tracy Handerhan, who had worked with Righi previously, including when he was superintendent of the Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School District, had also been serving as the interim principal at the high school prior to his appointment.

"The search to secure an outstanding candidate is a top priority. We are focused on the future of our high school community, while acknowledging we are building on the foundation set by previous and current staff members who have served our students with outstanding effort and pride," Steitz said.

She said "our new leader will join the district team focusing on initiatives to continually broaden the academic, social and emotional strengths of our kids as they grow into young adulthood. We hope our stakeholders will join the board and the district leadership and embrace the opportunity to support these ongoing ambitions for growth."

Sirchio's administrative leave came about after a senior class to trip to Disney World in March 2022. Sirchio's salary at that time was $194,809, according to a past Patch article.

After that trip, Erin Embom, then the Wall Intermediate School principal, was also placed on administrative leave. But in June 22, the school board approved her returning to the district as principal of the Wall Primary School, a K to 5 school, and also being its curriculum director. That move combines two positions, the former board president noted at the time. Embon's salary for the positions was $173,261.

Nude photos Kaitlyn Cannon sent to a boyfriend while in college were lost, but later posted on a porn site by Wall math teacher, jury finds.

OCEAN COUNTY, NJ — A former Wall High School student has successfully sued an ex-Wall math teacher for posting to a porn website her nude and semi-nude photos she sent to a boyfriend years before.

Kaitlyn Cannon was awarded $10,000 after a civil trial in Ocean County Superior Court, her lawyer said.

The jury before Judge Valter Must in Toms River in a 6-1 verdict awarded the compensatory damages against her former teacher, Christopher Doyle, who has since resigned from Wall and teaches in another district. Cannon is now 29.

And while the award was not large, one of her attorneys said it vindicated her.

"Kaitlyn will have to monitor the internet for the rest of her life. She will be in therapy the rest of her life," one of her attorneys in the case, Cali Madia, said. The lead attorney was Daniel Szalkiewicz of New York, Madia said.

The suit against Doyle, whom Madia said lived in Ocean County but has since moved to Burlington County, came about when a friend of Cannon's alerted her in 2018 that her photos were on an online porn site that uses non-consensual photos of women. Her photos were sent by phone to her now former boyfriend years before while in college, Madia said.

Her boyfriend had told her that he had lost his phone, and Madia said from texts and interaction between the two it was clear that was the case.

According to documents filed in the lawsuit, "a couple of photos depicted only Cannon's face, several others showed her exposed breasts, genitals, naked buttocks, or in only her undergarments."

The civil suit was filed in 2019, Madia said, when her attorneys were able to track Doyle's IP address from Optimum Cable, used to access the website.

"Upon learning the name of the individual who had posted her intimate images online for the world to see, Cannon realized that the person responsible was a teacher at her high school. She never sent Mr. Doyle her images, did not consent to him sharing them online," the suit said.

Also, that the images were posted "on a board devoted to images of young women associated with the Town of Wall confirms that he was aware of (Cannon's) identity when he posted the images and wanted others to know her true identity as well." the suit said.

The suit said Cannon's attorneys notified the website on March 29, 2018, that the images were posted without her consent. The images were removed on April 4, 2018, the suit noted.

Doyle's attorney, James Uliano of West Long Branch, was not immediately available to comment Thursday on the outcome of the case. But Uliano did comment to NJ.com that the jury found Doyle did not inflict emotional distress on Cannon and declined to award punitive damages.

Doyle resigned from his position in Wall when faced with the allegations, Madia said. Cannon had long since been out of the district when the posting happened.

Madia said the entire incident has changed the direction of Cannon's life.

Cannon began her career working as a television producer for an educational network, she said.

Now Cannon, who lives in another state, has become a licensed social worker, specializing in helping people who have been victimized on the internet.

"There is a dearth of resources," in that area, Madia said.

Civil law has changed too, in such cases since the case was filed.

Madia said it was "a little surprising" that punitive damages were not found against Doyle.

But as of October 2022, a new law requires juries who award compensatory damages to also award a minimum of $150,000 in punitive damages for the plaintiff, Madia said. She said juries can also award more than that to deter such activities.

WALL, NJ — The Wall Township Board of Education has three terms expiring this December, but no one has filed petitions to run for the spots in the November election, according to county records.

So the school board election is in sort of a wait-and-see mode, pending write-in candidates entered on Election Day, observers of the board say. Write-in candidates just need to be registered voters, they say.

According to the Monmouth County clerk of elections office at the MonmouthCountyVotes.com site, no one has filed petitions for the board positions as of the July 31 deadline. "No petition filed" was cited as of Aug. 10 for the three spots on the Wall school board on the county website.

Current members Kristen Hodnett, Christopher San Filippo and Kenneth Wondrack are all members of the board with terms ending at the end of 2023, according to the district website.

San Filippo, who will have served two terms over six years as of December, was able to be reached Thursday. He said he has many other obligations with coaching and his family. But he "fulfilled his obligation" to the board, having completed his terms, he said.

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He said he hopes write-ins will step up, and said some might prefer that sort of campaign compared with collecting the many signatures needed for a petition. He said campaigns might also develop through social media sites.

The New Jersey School Boards Association, a nonpartisan organization that serves its school board membership, provided guidance on state law on the general situation in which no candidates file for office.

The NJSBA is a state-created federation of boards of education. It provides mandated governance training to the board members, its website states.

The following laws would apply, according to Thomas Parmalee, manager of communications/publications for the New Jersey School Boards Association:

The school boards association provided more explanation of the write-in process.

Regarding potential write-in candidates, Parmalee said that some write-in candidates may be known, and some others may not. There is no obligation for a write-in candidate to campaign.

"It is possible for a write-in candidate to promote they are running by writing letters to the editor, posting signs or otherwise letting citizens know they would like their name to be written in for an elected office," he said.

He said the county clerk would, as usual, have to certify the results of the election. Assuming the results are certified, and if the write in candidate(s) accept the position – and as long as they meet the statutory requirements to serve on a board of education – they would be elected to the board, he said.

In 2022, candidates filed for all the open terms, but there was no contest in the election.

Being a board member hasn't been easy here - or in many other districts with many national issues played out in Board of Education meetings.

In Wall, the district experienced controversy with a hazing incident disclosed in September and October of 2021, a matter investigated by the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office. There were certain suspensions and re-instatements and realignments of administrative staff in connection to that and, separately, in connection to a senior class trip to Disneyworld, as you can see summarized in a past Patch article.

But there were accomplishments by the board, as well.

It saw a major referendum approved by voters for improvements to the district's schools. The board also filled the Wall High School principal spot with an acting principal who is an experienced administrator. (The principal is still on paid leave in the Disneyworld issue.)

The December referendum had two questions:

Question 1 proposed $53 million in bonds. This question passed by 1,915 votes to 1,039 votes, in unofficial results. This measure would fund widespread roof and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) repairs, electrical and mechanical system upgrades, and restroom modernizations. It also includes renovations to several instructional classrooms and the Wall High School auditorium.

Question 2 proposed $13.5 million in bonds. This question passed by 1,715 votes to 1,225 votes, in unofficial results. This bond will fund more specifically located HVAC, electrical, and site upgrades; window replacements; art room renovations; and upgrades to expand use of Wall High School’s athletic facilities, the district has said.

Passage of the referendum also brought in millions of state aid to the district.

You can read about the referendum in a past Patch article: Wall School Bonding Questions Are Approved In Unofficial Results.

The district also, on its website, has photos of work being done this summer as a result of the referendum on the roof of Wall High School and other projects at Allenwood School. You can read financial summaries there, too. The site does not provide a written progress report as yet.