State Moves Forward with Ethics Complaint Against BOE Vice President

The State School Ethics Commission has dismissed Board of Education Vice President Victoria Dean's request to drop an ethics complaint filed against her.

The complaint was submitted by Marlboro resident and Planning Board member Josh Pollak in May, and claims Dean donated an iPad at a February Knights of Columbus fundraiser which was allegedly labeled "Marlboro Republican Club, Victoria Dean, Vice President of Marlboro School Board."

Pollak alleges Dean used a political standing in conjunction with her position on the board, which would violate local and state school board ethics standards.

Click here to read Dean's full response to the complaint.

A letter from the School Ethics Commission dated Aug. 27 states the commission has ruled the complaint is "not frivolous in nature," and denied Dean's motion to dismiss.

"I take my ethics very seriously and intend to vigorously defend my good name and reputation. A charitable act is being demonized because a faith based organization sought to thank me and my husband for a financial contribution we made," Dean said in a May statement to Patch.

Dean is a member of the Marlboro Republican Club but not a ranking member. Her husband, former council candidate Chris Dean, is the Republican Municipal Chairman in the township. 

Dean's seat on the board is up for election this year. Dean has not officially announced whether or not she is seeking reelection. 

The School Ethics Commission will now formally make a decision regarding the complaint, however the timeline is unknown.

A call to the School Ethics Commission on Thursday evening was not returned in time for publication. Patch will update this story when the next steps in the process become clear.