Pequannock school board acknowledges staff arrest, hears parent plea to reshape music leadership and moves to executive session

The Pequannock Township School District Board of Education opened a public meeting by acknowledging the community’s concern after the recent arrest of a staff member and moved into executive session to discuss legal and personnel matters, the board said. A parent urged the board to preserve the district’s acapella group and to hire new music leadership unconnected to the staff member’s prior supervisor.

The board’s statement, read at the start of the meeting, said the district is “cooperating fully with law enforcement authorities” and that it is “following all applicable laws, regulations, and policies” while the matter proceeds. The statement also warned that, because it is an active criminal investigation and a personnel matter, the board cannot comment on specific details or answer questions, and that limitation is intended to protect the investigative process and the rights of all involved.

“The district’s foremost responsibility is to ensure the safety, security, and well-being of every student in our care, and that commitment is unwavering,” Dr. Portis, board president, said during opening remarks. The board announced that public comment would be received before the board entered executive session.

During the public-comment period, Janelle McGowan, who identified herself as a mother of a student involved in the district’s music program, said music “is not just an extracurricular activity. It’s a lifeline for so many of our students.” McGowan urged the board to ensure the district’s acapella group continues this year and asked the board to “consider hiring someone who has not worked under Bill Arnold,” saying the community needs “a fresh start” for music and theater leadership.

A board member thanked McGowan after her remarks and said the district would “rise above” the situation and work to provide leadership “that’s gonna reignite hope.” The president then said the board would move into executive session “where we will discuss legal matters and personnel matters. No action will be taken. We will adjourn from there,” and asked for a motion to go into executive session.

A motion to enter executive session was made and seconded. The board approved the motion by voice vote. The president closed the public-comment period before the executive session and the meeting adjourned to the closed session; no votes on policy or personnel actions were taken in open session.

The board’s public remarks limited what it could disclose about the arrest and any personnel steps; the district said only that it is cooperating with law enforcement and supporting students and staff. The meeting record shows the board followed the Open Public Meeting Act notice requirements and then used a permitted executive session to discuss matters the board said were legal and personnel issues.

The board did not provide further details about the arrested staff member, any disciplinary steps taken, the planned timeline for filling music-department leadership roles, or any specific next public meeting dates at which those topics would be discussed.