Brower's Indictment Poses 'Difficult Time' for District, Former Super Says

Superintendent Dr. Sandra Brower’s indictment poses a “difficult time” for the Lacey Township School District but former Superintendent Richard Starodub is confident the community will recover.

“I have a high level of confidence in the staff, the administration and the Board of Education in getting good legal advice from Mr. Stein (the board attorney),” said Starodub, who served as superintendent for 21 years and worked for the district for a total of 32.

“The board is in a very strong position with all those elements to get through this unfortunate situation,” he said.

Starodub, 64, announced his retirement in May 2011. His last day with the Lacey Township School District was Oct. 31, 2011, when Brower took over in November.

Brower was indicted Monday, charged with second-degree official misconduct, third-degree hindering apprehension and fourth-degree obstruction for failing to immediately report a teacher's possible sexual assault of a 4-year-old special needs student while she was Wall Township's assistant superintendent.

Later that day, Brower pleaded not guilty to the three charges brought against her. She is scheduled to appear in court again on Monday, June 10.

Brower is currently on paid administrative leave, although the Board of Education will be meeting later this week to discuss the ramifications of the indictment.

“I won’t comment on the indictment,” Starodub said. “That’s a matter that’s before the prosecutor right now. It would be inappropriate for anyone to comment, especially a public official or an ex-public official.”

But normally in the case of a sexual abuse incident, each district has a protocol to follow, he said.

“Every teacher and administrator has the responsibility to take action when that information comes forward,” he said.

According to the protocol, contact is immediately made to both the Division of Youth and Family Services and the police department. In the past, notification was only made to DYFS but that policy changed years ago, he said.

Starodub was not involved in the process of hiring a new superintendent upon the announcement of his retirement, he said. The first time he met Brower was during her appointment in October 2011.  He later had a “brief” transition meeting with her.

Since his retirement, Starodub continued to follow the progress of the district, he said. He has also received phone calls from the district to engage in discussions and answer questions, in which he always tried to be “helpful and supportive” without imposing or overstepping his boundaries, he said.

“As a resident of Lacey and a parent of two graduates, I continue to have an interest in the Lacey Township School District and support the school district,” he said. “It’s an important part of the fabric of the community.”

Starodub could not say whether he supported Brower’s moves and initiatives.

“I am not in the position to be supportive or critical of any decisions,” he said, adding that the district’s decisions are based on facts and philosophy that he’s not aware of as an outsider.

But right now, time is “critical,” Starodub said.

“The Board of Education has to get very good legal advice,” he said, adding that Board Attorney Arthur Stein is “extraordinarily well versed in school law.” “The board is in a strong place. I think the board will work as a board as they do in these situations and move ahead.”

Starodub would not offer advice as to what should be done.

“This is something the board has to do within their own right. They want to do the right thing,” he said.  “Right now, the community needs to support their work and help them get through it. Criticism could afford to stand down right now. Let the board and administration and schools operate in a normal fashion.”

It is important for the district to “maintain stability,” he said, speaking from experience. In 1997, while Starodub was superintendent, a Lacey Township High School student gave birth to a baby at senior prom. The baby was found dead in the trash. That incident also put the Lacey Township community in the spotlight.

“That was a different situation because it involved student activity,” Starodub said. “It was internal from the day-to-day operations to the school. Of course it was an unfortunate situation as well.

“It was a very, very difficult situation for the whole school community and the community as well,” he said.

Maintaining stability is one of the primary roles of a superintendent, Starodub said.

“Kids need to be able to come to school every day and feel safe and secure in an environment that’s stable and the teaching staff needs the same thing because that’s the greatest environment the students can learn in,” he said. “It’s my belief that’s being maintained right now.”

Starodub will continue to support the district, and he’s “always available,” he said.

“I would do whatever I can if they ask me to assist,” he said. “I never left the district in terms of being able to help and support. I’ll always have that in my head and heart.

“It’s a great school district. I think it’s a difficult time right now. The district needs a lot of support, including mine, and it’s there.”