The Freehold Regional High School District’s special legal counsel has withdrawn a count from the tenure charges that were filed against Manalapan High School Principal Jeff Simon.
The count that was withdrawn related to Simon’s alleged mishandling of a pep rally at the high school.
Simon remains suspended from his position at the high school.
Attorney Nicholas Celso, who represents the FRHSD in the matter, informed the court of the removal of the count on July 3, during the first hearing in the presentation of the case against Simon. The move came as the result of expert advice, Celso added.
The count dealt with a November 2011 pep rally which allegedly resulted in a “severely overcrowded, chaotic and dangerous situation,” according to the tenure charges that were filed against Simon.
FRHSD administrators had alleged that Simon decided to hold the pep rally in the gymnasium, disregarding Supervisor of Extracurricular Activities Phillip Ricci’s suggestion to move the event outside due to the gym’s perceived inability to safely accommodate the student body.
After the hearing, Administrative Law Judge Donald J. Stein issued a court order that dismissed a claim in the charges that alleged Simon took part in insubordinate behavior over an extended period of time, which, in conjunction with separate behaviors and actions, would justify his termination.
Superintendent of Schools Charles Sampson filed the tenure charges against Simon in early February. The Board of Education certified the charges on Feb. 27.
The charges allege Simon improperly handled district funds and jeopardized the health and safety of his students on several occasions.
Simon and his attorney, Stuart Moskovitz, refuted the allegations at several board meetings. The two men have not commented on the matter in public in months.
The next public hearing in the case against Simon is scheduled for Aug. 16 at the state Office of Administrative Law building, 9 Quakerbridge Plaza, Mercerville.