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School Superintendent Accused Of Defecating Daily On Another School's Track Put On Paid Leave

HOLMDEL, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- The superintendent accused of defecating on another school's track and field has been put on paid leave.

Kenilworth School Superintendent Thomas Tramaglini allegedly relieved himself daily on Holmdel High School's track and field.

Holmdel isn't in Tramaglini's district, but authorities said he went there to jog almost every morning and regularly left behind an unsanitary mess for the rival school.

Coaches and staff had been finding human feces there for days. They set up surveillance and allegedly caught Tramaglini in the act last week.

Thomas Tramaglini
Thomas Tramaglini (credit: Kenilworth Public Schools)

 

Tramaglini, 42, of Matawan, lives about three miles from the Holmdel track. He faces lewdness, littering and defecating in public charges.

There was no answer at his townhouse door on Monday when CBS2's Hazel Sanchez came looking for him.

"Dr. Tramaglini's current contract runs through June 30, 2020, and state law provides him with tenure protection during the life of the contract; this includes prohibition on suspensions without pay in the absence of an indictment or tenure charges," Kenilworth Public Schools said in a statement. "The Board is mindful of its rights and responsibilities under these challenging circumstances, and looks forward to refocusing its energies on educating our children and serving as responsible fiduciaries of our tax dollars."

He did have options, Sanchez reported. There are at least four nearby porta-potties he could have used – one in the high school parking lot where he likely parked his car, and another just a few steps away from the track.

Locals are still trying to make sense of it all.

"We couldn't imagine what would prompt somebody to do something like that," one woman said.

"Did he have an argument with someone?" Old Bridge resident Maryanne Dorsey wondered.

"I have no idea. I just think it's a very immature situation," said Old Bridge resident Brandon Abdul.

"I feel sorry for the fella. He's got either an issue mentally or maybe an issue physically," Aberdeen resident James Faczak said.

According to the Kenilworth Schools website, he was "unanimously appointed" by the board of education in 2015.

State law protects his tenure until his contract ends in two years, unless he is indicted.

"A guy who does something like that, you don't want to see somebody like that have a job," said Abdul.

"I'm not so sure the guy should be fired completely from his job. I think he should be given some type of punishment, given some type of psychological counseling," Faczak said. "The guy obviously has earned his position. Let's see if he can earn it back."

"Definitely don't think he should be paid, because when it has to do with children, you can't let them off too easy," Dorsey said.

Tramaglini is expected to appear in court later this month.

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