MTEA Statement 2/26/14

                            MULLICA TOWNSHIP EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
                                              We care About Mullica's Students
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                    Mullica Twp. Education Association Calls on Board to Reconsider
                             Filing Tenure Charges against Kindergarten Teacher


Barbara Rheault, the president of the Mullica Township Education Association, which represents 118 teachers and educational support professionals in Mullica Township's public schools, tonight called on the Mullica Township Board of Education to reconsider filing tenure charges against kindergarten teacher Kelly Mascio.


"The association is deeply troubled by the inaccurate statements that have been reported by the media.  In an attempt to clarify the facts of the case, we are distributing the teacher's personal statement of what occurred(See Attached).  The association would like to point out that according to this statement, there is no mention of any child being 'naked' or 'having sex'.  As educators, we are horrified that these inaccurate and inflammatory statements were never corrected by the administration - although repeatedly used for months - until this morning when the superintendent finally acknowledged that these statements were inaccurate.

"When this incident occurred, the teacher followed procedure and immediately reported the matter to the school psychologist.  Subsequently, the teacher was called in by the school principal.
Kelly explained the situation and wrote an incident report as requested by the principal.  Twenty-five minutes later she was called into the superintendent's office and suspended on the spot with no discussion or inquiry by the superintendent."

"As per law, the division of Child Protection and Permanency (CP&P, formerly the Division of Youth and Family Services, DYFS) was called and the Mullica Township Police were notified."

"The association also would like to point out that in accordance with the law, the incident was investigated by the CP&P and the teacher was cleared.  In addition, the Mullica Township Police report lists the call disposition as 'closed'.  It is important to note that in the official police report, the references to a student being naked were based upon a verbal statement given by the principal who did not witness the event."

"The teacher has fully cooperated with investigations into this incident, because she wants what is in the best interests of the students.  Remember, she is the person who reported it."

"The MTEA is alarmed that the teacher followed the procedures established by the law and school policy and that she continues to be unfairly persecuted."

"It is clear the teacher did nothing wrong in this situation and it is shameful that the Board of Education and the superintendent have put all of us through this horrible ordeal.  We are very proud of our excellent public schools and our strong community.  The Board of Education has the power to end this tonight.  They should do the right thing for our students, our schools, and our community and dismiss these charges immediately."

"We know how hard this must be for the Board.  We all want what's best for Mullica's students.  To continue to punish Kelly for following the protocols established by the Board of Education and the State of New Jersey is not fair or just.  Please do the right thing tonight!"
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We now know that the Board and Superintendent sat and listened to residents, educators and the Mayor make impassioned pleas to end this 5 month travesty and dismiss the charges against Mascio.  They sat silently, never giving any indication that they had certified the tenure charges with a 8 -1vote against Kelly Mascio LAST WEEK.  There are no words to describe the shock, outrage and anger felt by the crowd when news of the OPRA report spread through the remaining attendees after the meeting had adjourned.