Little Silver's school psychologist was suspended by the district following an arrest last month for alleged distribution of marijuana and child endangerment.
Michele J. Thompson, 45, Ocean Park Avenue, Bradley Beach was charged Jan. 21 with distribution of marijuana and several counts of child endangerment following an investigation by Bradley Beach Police, according to APP.com. Harold A. Sturm, 50, also of Ocean Park Avenue in Bradley Beach, was also charged.
According to Little Silver Board of Education President Christian Smith, the board "became aware of a situation in which an employee was charged with alleged criminal activity." Thompson was suspended by the district shortly after the arrest.
"Because this is a personnel matter, we cannot comment or provide details other than that the individual has been suspended while we gather information regarding the allegations," Smith said.
He added that the alleged activity did not involve any student in the Little Silver school district.
The board approved hiring Helaine Conti as a part-time replacement psychologist at its Feb. 7 meeting at $325 per day, up to three days per week, effective Feb. 8.
None of us obviously know all the details, but based upon my interactions with her, I would suggest we not rush to judgement.
Provide counseling to students with social, emotional, and behavioral problems. Identify learning and behavior problems of the students and then administer the battery of evaluations necessary to determine eligibility for special education services. I hope you realize the importance of these two items alone. She is responsible for 800 students well being.
You must be a Psychologist, I understand what you are saying. However I to went to school and survived like all of my classmates without a Psychologist. It's like Dentss said, if the parents did their job as parents it would not be necessary to pay this person. If you want to be a parent it comes with raising your children, not leaving it to the school Psychologist.
To commonman: Nobody cares if she gets high. She was getting 14 year olds high. To LittleS: Thank God that those 800 students are now safe. Too late for my child.