Washington Township school board decides not to reinstate suspended superintendent.

The Washington Township school board has opted not to reinstate Eric Hibbs as the school superintendent, a position from which he was suspended with pay two months ago. This decision was made during a tense board meeting held on Tuesday night, where officials also failed to appoint an interim superintendent to navigate the ongoing leadership turmoil within the Gloucester County school system.

The atmosphere during the meeting was charged, culminating in board president Julie Kozempel expressing her frustration and leaving abruptly, despite pleas from fellow members to remain. The board was unable to reach an agreement on either the reinstatement of Hibbs or the appointment of Dennis Vespe as the interim superintendent, a move intended to provide stability until Hibbs’s situation could be resolved. Vespe, a seasoned educator with experience as a superintendent in neighboring districts, was proposed for a position with a compensation package of 0 per day or ,000 monthly. However, despite support for Vespe from several board members, the motion failed due to a split vote.

The district has been experiencing significant disorder since Hibbs was placed on leave in March, with no official rationale provided for the suspension. Attempts to contact Hibbs for comment have been unsuccessful. In what has become a precarious situation, the board has employed several acting superintendents but is now left without a permanent leader.

Distress over the district’s direction continues, with board member Elayne Clancy advocating for Hibbs’s reinstatement, especially in light of an impending budget crisis. Meanwhile, the board attempted a second motion to reinstate Hibbs, which yielded an indecisive split, complicating the district’s leadership structure.

In the absence of a clear administrative leader, educators within the district are increasingly concerned about the ongoing instability. The next scheduled board meeting is set for Tuesday, raising further questions about the future direction of the school district.

Amidst these deliberations, Rob Scardino, a teacher in the district, indicated during public comment that he had withdrawn a previously filed ethics complaint involving Hibbs and other district officials, citing insufficient evidence to proceed. Scardino’s withdrawal underscores the complexities surrounding the current administrative challenges.

The school board’s meeting concluded after attempts to regroup and discuss next steps, revealing an urgent need for resolution as educators, parents, and students await clarity on their leadership and administrative future. The board’s activities, particularly around budget discussions and staff reductions, continue to add layers of complexity to the already tenuous situation facing Washington Township schools.

Additionally, the board has recently approved a 7.5 million budget for the 2025-2026 school year, including a substantial increase in local taxes, despite plans for significant staff cuts. As the community grapples with the implications of these financial decisions and ongoing administrative strife, the urgency for effective leadership and cohesive governance remains paramount.

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