Washington Township Teacher Suspended After Arrest In Virginia

LONG VALLEY, NJ — An elementary school teacher employed by the Washington Township Board of Education was suspended by the district after an arrest last month in Virginia, according to officials.

The Board of Education has decided to suspend the Benedict A. Cucinella Elementary School teacher and restrain them from being on school property until the charges have been determined.

The Board also decided to hire a certified teacher that will replace the suspended teacher for the 2024-2025 school year, according to Superintendent Marybeth Kopacz.

"Because this is a personnel issue, and an ongoing criminal investigation, legally, we are not permitted to comment on anything more than what I wrote in my letter to the WTS families," Kopacz told Patch. "As we are permitted to share information, I will certainly do so."

The charges are currently pending and there has been no adjudication of guilt. The school district did not release the identity of the teacher or the charges filed.

Kopacz said the Board and administration are working closely with both local law enforcement and Virginia authorities as the investigation occurs.

Patch will have more on this story as it develops.