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Public commenters accuse recent candidates of using booster group funds for campaign materials
Summary
A public speaker told the board that three newly elected candidates spent more than $19,000 and used the HCRHS Booster Parent Association to distribute campaign materials, possibly risking the booster’s 501(c)(3) status; others at the meeting made further accusations about internal board disputes.
During public comment, Rebecca Peterson of Raritan Township congratulated honorees and raised concerns tied to agenda item G7. Peterson said the Wallace–Williams–Bryce campaign spent in excess of $19,000 and filed an R-1 with the New Jersey Election Commission. She told the board that the R‑1 reports a campaign expenditure on Aug. 15, 2025, in the form of campaign materials provided to the HCRHS Booster Parent Association (BPA), and warned that 501(c)(3) organizations are prohibited from participating in political campaigns; violation could risk excise taxes or revocation of tax-exempt status.
Peterson asked the booster organization to consider steps necessary to protect its tax-exempt status and urged the candidates to apologize for putting boosters at risk. The district did not take action during the public comment period but the allegation prompted public discussion about appropriate use of booster resources and campaign-finance filing requirements.
Later in the public comment period, Sandra Devore alleged that board members, administration and a former board attorney colluded to remove Rebecca Peterson from the board, calling that behavior unethical and urging community members to review past meetings and consider filing ethics complaints. Devore also cited falling academic scores — for example, English language arts and algebra results mentioned in her remarks — as evidence the board should focus on academics rather than internal disputes.
The board did not make an on-the-record determination about the booster allegation at the meeting. Any legal or tax consequences for the booster group would be matters for the Internal Revenue Service and the New Jersey Election Commission to investigate; the booster’s tax status and the campaign’s R-1 filing should be reviewed by those authorities to determine whether any legal violation occurred.
