Suspended Wyckoff Middle School Principal Seeks Reinstatement

WYCKOFF, NJ — Eisenhower Middle School Principal Chris Iasiello filed a petition of appeal last week, hoping to end his months-long suspension after officials claimed he didn't properly handle an alleged "sexting incident."

The appeal, which includes a motion for immediate relief, could prove successful, as the Department of Education confirmed with Patch that the case will be assigned to a judge. Further, NorthJersey.com reports that a hearing is already scheduled for Tuesday before Office of Administrative Law Judge Nanci Stokes.

Iasiello's attorney, Stephen Edelstein, hopes to have his client reinstated after months of back and forth with district leadership.

"All efforts to learn the basis for the suspension have been stonewalled by the School District, the Board of Education, and its legal counsel, as Petitioner sits at home, watching his distinguished career in education crumble before his eyes," the petition read.

Board of Education President Robert Francin responded to the petition Monday afternoon.

"Throughout this difficult process, the Board has been committed to ensuring the privacy rights of everyone involved, and the Board will continue in its commitment to do so," said Francin.

"Litigation has been initiated against the Board, and the Board intends to vigorously defend its position before the Commissioner of Education. The Board’s actions are based on its concern for the students and staff members of the district and the Board will continue to pursue this matter until the Board is assured that no further action is warranted."

Here's what we know so far:

Suspension

An email dated Jan. 15 from Postma informs Iasiello that he's being suspended with pay "as a result of serious allegations concerning your failure to properly follow the Board's policies and procedures to investigate a report of a sexting incident that occurred on or about October 16, 2020." (More details on the "incident" below.)

Postma announced that Assistant Superintendent Grace White would step in as acting principal at the middle school following the suspensions of Assistant Principal Chris Giordano and Iasiello earlier this year. Both were suspended with pay, and Giordano has since been reinstated. Read more: Wyckoff Parents Seek Answers In Sudden Departure Of Principals

The petition claims that the suspension is not only causing professional and personal harm to Iasiello, but that it also violates district policy and state statutes.

"Although still receiving his compensation from the District, the prolonged suspension imposed by the District, without any basis given or existing, has and will continue to cause irreparable harm to Petitioner's career as an Educator," the petition said.

As his attorney continued to press the district for answers, Iasiello's name was removed from the district website on Feb. 26, according to the petition.

Little information is available about the status of the district's investigation, but the petition does shed light on the circumstances that led to it.

"There Was No Sexting Incident"

According to the petition, Iasiello said the alleged sexting event involved his daughter, a "special needs student" at Eisenhower Middle School.

"There was no 'sexting incident,' as that term is conventionally used. Rather, there was an act of immediate and then ongoing abuse against Petitioner's daughter by not fewer than four Wyckoff students," the petition read.

On October 16, Iasiello's daughter was the victim of "sexually predatory behavior by several male students who pressured her to 'flash' her breast and, without her consent, video recorded the incident." That video was then circulated on at least one social media site, according to the petition.

Iasiello learned about the video around Oct. 19, and the district opened four Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (HIB) investigations. Because it involved his daughter, Iasiello recused himself from the investigation, the petition said.

Giordano was informed that Iasiello planned to recuse himself, and, according to the petition, said he would take the lead on it.

Tort Claim Notice

Iasiello's attorney filed a notice of tort claim with the district on March 17, which includes "issues of money damages," according to the petition.

The claim alleges that Iasiello's suspension is a "retaliatory measure" for criticisms he made against the superintendent, including COVID-19 reopening strategies.

It also alleges that Postma "engaged in a repeated and targeted campaign of sexual harassment" against Iasiello, and shared confidential employment information with parents in the district.

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