Suspended Teacher's Coaching Spot Filled

Second grade teacher Kathleen Brennan will be the girls soccer coach this season, taking the place of Hilary Gorzelnik.

When asked about the status of Gorzelnik in the district, Superintendent Dr. Charles Maranzano said the matter is still in the legal department and could take a while to resolve.

Athletic Director Tom Vara said he has brought in Brennan to take over as girls soccer coach at this time.

“As of right now, the issue of Hilary Gorzelnik is in the superintendent’s office, Vara said. "There are conversations going on that we’re not privy to. I was told to bring on a new soccer coach at this point. They’re still working out whatever they need to work out. It could be settled tomorrow or five years from now."

Gorzelnik  until the end of the district's investigation. After that, the district must either reinstate Gorzelnik, who was also a drivers' education instructor, discipline her short of dismissal, or file tenure dismissal charges. If tenure dismissal charges are filed, she can be suspended for 120 days without pay while the case is hashed out in court.

The district is investigating accusations the 31-year-old might have had , Maranzano has said.

"These things take time," Maranznao said in July. "Right now, it's in legal hands. I don't have anything to report if that's what you're asking. There's nothing at this point we can share now."

Maranzano said he recommended the suspension to the school board. Maranzano has also said Gorzelnik was suspended to keep her away from students until the end of the investigation, though he hasn't said what she's been accused of doing.

Gorzelnik, a seventh-year teacher in the district, has received legal representation from the NJEA. New Jersey Education Association Director of Communications Steve Wollmer said in June the district had little hard evidence of any wrongdoing by Gorzelnik and that it has "failed to uncover anything other than rumors."

"No factual evidence has turned up" against Gorzelnik, who has a "spotless reputation," Wolmer said in June.

“Right now our focus is taking care of the kids," Vara said. "My goal is to take care of the girls. I spent a lot of time with our girls this summer, but normally the coach does this stuff where they fund raise, get ready for captain’s practices, get their budget order in. I sat down with the seniors to see what we needed to get done and we worked collectively. "

The team will now work with Brennan as the season begins.

“Coach Brennan got on board now," Vara said. "She’s taken the girls and taken over. All summer long it was the girls and I talking and working through any issues or concerns. I felt bad for them because they were wondering what’s going on, who’s our coach? I played that role until it was time to bring on someone else on board. When I got that directive, it was let’s move forward now.”