Washington Township school board places superintendent on leave amid unresolved replacement and ethics complaints.

The Washington Township School Board is grappling with a leadership vacuum nearly two months after suspending Superintendent Eric Hibbs. The board, which convened to potentially name an interim leader, was unable to reach a consensus during a meeting that has now been postponed until June 10. The continued discord within the board is part of a larger rift regarding Hibbs’ status, who was placed on paid administrative leave in March and has since faced multiple ethical complaints that remain under investigation.

This issue first came to a head when board President Julie Kozempel confirmed that the board was still in search of qualified candidates to step in as acting superintendent while Hibbs remains suspended. Since Hibbs assumed his position in 2023, his contract, which pays an annual salary of 5,000 and runs through 2027, has come under scrutiny amidst an ethical investigation.

The controversies surrounding Hibbs have led to considerable frustration among parents and residents, particularly in light of a projected million budget gap for the upcoming school year. These tensions were further amplified as multiple ethics complaints were levied by various stakeholders within the district, alleging misconduct and favoritism, including a claim that Hibbs altered a failing math grade for a family member of board member Carol Chila.

While Hibbs has denied any wrongdoing—asserting that his suspension stems from a lack of evidence related to the complaints—his attorney has labeled the board’s actions as vindictive. The internal conflict has caused considerable disruption, making the board meetings contentious as members navigate the fallout from ongoing ethical probes.

Notably, the board has had trouble maintaining a quorum due to conflicts of interest among its members, leading to the invocation of a rarely used “Doctrine of Necessity.” In an already strained atmosphere, the timeline for appointing an acting superintendent remains uncertain, particularly as the board has seen multiple candidates withdraw their names from consideration.

Financially, the school district recently approved a 7.5 million budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year. However, hiring processes have been stalled pending state tax assessments. As a result, the district faces challenging decisions, including potential layoffs and the suspension of middle school sports programs. With anxiety permeating the school community, stakeholders are left seeking clarity on both leadership and fiscal stability.

Efforts to resolve the current impasse continue as the board seeks a way forward amid rising pressures from both internal and external sources. The upcoming meeting on June 10, where the fate of interim management and broader budgetary concerns will be discussed, could be a pivotal moment for Washington Township’s educational governance.