Andrew Martins, Managing Editor
Detectives at the local and county level have turned their attention to Hillsborough High School in recent days, as a question of an undisclosed amount of missing funds has officials wanting answers.
Though district officials continue to be publicly silent on the matter, citing personnel confidentiality and the sensitivity of an ongoing investigation, Police Chief Darren Powell confirmed on Wednesday that the township’s police department has teamed up with the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office to investigate the matter.
Powell said the investigation was initiated at the request of Superintendent Dr. Jorden Schiff’s office.
Though the investigation is still in its early stages, the chief confirmed that the alleged thefts took place between 2013 and now. No arrests have been made at this time.
News of the investigation comes weeks after officials placed the high school’s Athletic Director Michael Fanizzi on administrative leave. Though no one at the district would officially state why the action was taken in the first place, there are as yet unfounded allegations being made in the public that he could be involved in the lost funds.
Fanizzi was hired to replace Rocky Forte, who retired after 26 years at HHS, back in 2003. Prior to joining as the high school’s athletic director, he was the athletic director at Belvidere High School.
Officials approved a temporary measure to appoint Michael Davis, the district’s supervisor of health and physical education, to fill a short-term administrator vacancy during the Dec. 18 school board meeting.
