Washington Township superintendent cleared of ethics complaint alleging grade manipulation.

Embattled Superintendent Eric Hibbs of Washington Township has been officially cleared of three allegations of misconduct, which led to his suspension earlier this year. The resolution of these charges was confirmed in a letter issued last week by Christopher M. Supsie, an attorney from a conflict law firm hired by the school board in March to conduct a thorough investigation into the complaints.

The inquiry aimed to address serious claims against Hibbs, including allegations that he granted preferential treatment to the daughter of board member Carol Chila by intervening to alter an academic grade. In September 2023, a complaint was lodged stating that Hibbs directed staff to change a failing math grade for Chila’s daughter. The complaints extended to accusations of improper admittance of Chila’s daughter into the school’s National Honor Society, alongside claims that academic records for her and other students had been unlawfully tampered with.

In his two-page letter, Supsie stated that the investigation found no evidence implicating Hibbs in any wrongdoing. He concluded the investigation by confirming that it had been closed without any further actions necessary.

Following the completion of the investigation, the Washington Township Board of Education was set to review a detailed report generated by Supsie and his firm, which charged 5 per hour for their services. The full report remains undisclosed to the public.

Hibbs’ attorney, Marc Zitomer, emphasized the unequivocal nature of the investigator’s conclusions, stating that the findings fully exonerate Hibbs and reaffirm his integrity and professionalism. The board had placed Hibbs on paid administrative leave in March; however, the reasons for this suspension were not officially cited at the time.

The complaints were filed by members of the Washington Township Education Association, including Gerard Taraschi and Robert Scardino. Taraschi has indicated that they will await the decision from the New Jersey School Ethics Commission regarding the pending complaint that named Hibbs and former Assistant Superintendent Pamela Nathan.

Hibbs returned to his position in August after a judge ruled that the board had violated public meeting laws in their closed-session vote regarding his suspension. He has served as the Superintendent since 2023, earning an annual salary of 0,375, with his contract running through 2027.

In recent months, the board has denied Hibbs’ requests for a merit pay increase, despite his claims of meeting most performance goals. As tensions continue between Hibbs and the nine-member board amidst reports of budget cuts, layoffs, and continuing legal disputes, the situation captures significant community and media attention.

As the Washington Township Education Association continues to seek resolution, it remains to be seen how these developments will impact the school district moving forward.

This ongoing saga highlights the complex interplay of ethics in educational administration, the challenges of board governance, and the scrutiny faced by public figures in positions of authority.