Wall District Relaunches Central School Trailer Investigation

WALL, NJ - The condition and safety of the temporary trailers that once stood at Central Elementary School since 2007 is under investigation once again, announced by the Wall Public Schools Board of Education on Tuesday.

The district’s new attorney, Anthony Sciarrillo, noted that a relaunch was necessary after a review conducted by former interim superintendent Dr. Henry G. Cram Jr. during his 15-week tenure left “some open questions.”

Two trailers, which housed four “refurbished” classrooms, were removed over the summer after poor conditions found during repair work in 2019. According to a letter from Cram addressed to members of the Wall Board of Education, the low bidder provided the classrooms to the district for $339,900 through a contract issued and approved by the board of education.

“Annual renewals for the use and extended use of the temporary classrooms were approved by the Department of Education through the 2018-19 school year,” the letter reads.

“The temporary classrooms functioned without incident or controversy until Spring 2019 when it was determined that the temporary classrooms were in need of immediate repair.”

While Cram argued that there exists no record of concerns, complaints or questions regarding the purchase or use of the temporary classrooms, Star News Group reports that parents and community members complained about the condition of the trailers and questioned the transparency of the board of education on the issue.

“Anyone contending that the purchase or use of the temporary classrooms by the district represent malpractice, malfeasance or illegal action by the Board or its agents should take those claims to the proper authorities for investigation,” Cram continued.

While the former interim superintendent was not “made aware that any regulatory agency, including several that have been contracted by members of the public, have initiated any investigation of this issue to date,” he did cite “legitimate questions” about the use of the trailers in his letter, including:

• The decision to purchase refurbished trailers for classroom use over an extended period
• The efficacy of maintenance of the trailers for an extended period
• The decision to abandon rather than repair the trailers “in response to public pressure”
• The “considerable delay” in removing the trailers

Sciarrillo told the board that a final report should be expected at the first board meeting in November. The investigation began Sept. 23, according to the attorney.

Weekly updates will be provided weekly through this link.

“The board has now authorized us to go forward with a “complete” investigation of the trailers from the first piece of paper that had the word ‘trailers’ on it … up until the day they were removed and there was no longer any paper," said Sciarrillo.

The attorney noted that his office, Sciarrillo, Cornell, Merlino, McKeever, & Osborne LLC, has retained the services of a former Ocean County prosecutor and that the firm is prepared to “interview anyone who wants to be interviewed” about the matter.

“We are prepared to answer any question and speak to anyone,” said Sciarrillo. “We want to close this discussion once and for all, good, bad or indifferent so this board of education can move on to educating students, which is what it’s all about.”

Individuals who wish to request information or forward documents relating to to the trailer project may email trailers@sciarrillolaw.com. Those who are interested in being interviewed can submit their names and contact information to the email address as well. Interviews will be conducted via Zoom.

Watch the full board of education meeting below:

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