Students and family raise choir program removal and ROTC assault claim during public comment

Two speakers used the public‑comment period to press the board for transparency and action on personnel and program matters.

Booker T. Washington High School junior Tremaine Spruill told the board that a choir director identified in Spruill’s remarks as “Mr. Ziegler” had been removed and that the program has since lost members and momentum. Spruill said the director “was not just a teacher. He is a mentor. He is a leader,” and told the board the choir has lost more than 60% of its members since the removal and that students had received no explanation. Spruill handed complaint letters to the clerk and asked the board to respond to students’ concerns.

A second speaker, identified on the meeting sign‑in as Precious Hayes, described herself as a retired Navy chief and the parent of a student who she said was assaulted by an NJROTC instructor. She told the board the family submitted statements and that the school division completed an investigation but the family had received no outcome or explanation she found satisfactory. Hayes said the incident had left her son chronically absent and asked the board to take action, emphasizing that she had “been unheard” and asking for resolution for her child and other students.

What the record shows: these statements were made as citizen comments and are allegations and requests for action by the speakers. The meeting record does not contain an administrative response or a public disciplinary finding. The speakers said they had submitted written materials to the clerk; the clerk acknowledged receiving documents.

Board procedure note: board members did not engage in extended public back‑and‑forth during the public‑comment period; administrators offered to follow up with building principals and directed staff to follow up individually where appropriate.

Quotations (verbatim from the public comment): “He gave us opportunities, pushed us to excellence…he was thrown away with no explanation,” Tremaine Spruill said. Precious Hayes said, “My son was assaulted by a ROTC instructor… I don't have any answers.”

Ending: Speakers asked for written and timely follow up; administrators accepted complaint letters and said they would investigate and follow up directly with families where appropriate.