Students Make Final Plea for Return of Suspended Band Teacher

With the end of the year approaching, students both current and past made what they were calling a “final plea” to the Board of Education Tuesday for the reinstatement of Bridgewater-Raritan High School band director Larry Markiewicz.

Markiewicz was suspended with pay in early March pending further review and consideration by the superintendent.

Since then, parents and students have shown up at a few board meetings to request information on the situation and the possibility of Markiewicz’s reinstatement.

In late April, James Crowley was hired as interim marching band director, and Monica Cullen was hired as interim high school music teacher through June 20.

Officials have continued to decline comment on the status of the suspension.

“The board itself cannot comment on personnel or personnel issues,” board President Patrick Breslin said.

Superintendent of Schools Michael Schilder added that the administration cannot comment on the situation on advise of the board’s attorney.

But students and parents all respectfully requested that Markiewicz be reinstated.

“This has been an amazing and memorable year, with the highest of highs and the lowest of lows,” said parent Phyllis Demichele. “As the school year comes to a close, we would like to look forward. Can you allow Mr. Markiewicz to return to the field and his kids?”

Demichele’s children, Megan and Patrick, also spoke before the board to request bringing their teacher back.

“I am here again respectfully asking that you please do everything in your power to get him back,” Megan Demichele said. “All we ask is that he is back soon.”

Several other students came forward, simply asking the board to reinstate him, and asking them to bring Markiewicz back into his office and band room “where he belongs.”

Becky Orlando, a former student in the district, requested the same.

“I have seen how much this ordeal has torn this man apart,” she said.

Other former students also attended the meeting to discuss Markiewicz.

“I live in Springfield now, but I still keep in contact with some of the current students,” said Cyrus Heidary, now a student at Rutgers University.

“They have been telling me how everything is going, and from what I understand, some have not been happy for a while. It’s because he made such a difference in the band students’ lives. For that to be taken away, it’s devastating.”