Community Corner

Length Of Brower Contract In Lacey Hinges On Court Outcome

Although former Superintendent Sandra D. Brower's contract with the Lacey Township school district technically runs until July 1, 2016, it could end sooner than that, Board Attorney Arthur Stein said.

"She is still in a contract," Stein said today. "We don't have the power to appoint another superintendent."

But depending upon court proceedings in Monmouth County, Brower's contract could end before that.

Lacey Board of Education members suspended Brower without pay in May, after
she was charged in an indictment 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.

Brower has pleaded not guilty and refused to resign, her lawyer has said.

But if she is found guilty or decides to plead guilty, that would be an "automatic forfeiture of position," Stein said.

"If that happens, her employment ends," he said.

But if she is found innocent of the charges in the criminal case, she has the right to return to the Lacey school district as superintendent, Stein said.

Lacey board members appointed Assistant Superintendent Vanessa Clark as Acting Superintendent.

Brower's time in Lacey began in mid-November of 2011. She is not being paid any benefits while she is suspended, Stein said.

Brower will be served with a notice of the board's refusal to renew her contract, he said.

Brower was initially charged and arraigned in the case of failing to notify authorities of possible abuse, but had to be re-arraigned on those charges in June, since former Wall Superintendent James F. Habel's name was added to an indictment.

Habel pleaded not guilty to 14 charges including official misconduct, money laundering, theft, eight counts of falsifying records and stealing a district-paid iPad.

Authorities have said he took more than $400,000 from the district by claiming he worked when he was actually out of state, and taking actions to falsify vacation and other records. Prosecutors also have charged him with mortgage fraud, based on statements he allegedly made to banks regarding the mortgages on his house in Florida and his previous home in Point Pleasant.

He is also charged in a separate case with failing to notify authorities of the possible abuse of a child by a teacher.


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