Public commenter alleges bullying in baseball program and questions Vice President Maggio’s prior votes

At public comment during the Bayonne Board of Education meeting, community member Tasha Mateo alleged the district failed to properly address complaints connected to the high‑school baseball program and questioned whether the board had followed required procedures before continuing the program under the same head coach.

"Protecting a coach or any adult at the expense of student safety, mental health, and well‑being is unacceptable," Mateo said, urging trustees to confirm whether all bullying complaints tied to the baseball program were reported and investigated in compliance with the New Jersey Anti‑Bullying Act. Mateo said the district’s agenda listed only five HIB (harassment, intimidation and bullying) investigations for the month and characterized that as a red flag that could indicate underreporting.

Mateo also alleged a potential conflict of interest, saying the agenda showed Vice President Maggio’s son and daughter were paid coaching positions and that Maggio had participated in the vote. "Under the New Jersey School Ethics Act, board members cannot act on matters where immediate family has a financial interest," she said, calling the circumstance "grounds for an ethical complaint."

Vice President Maggio responded in part during the public comment period, saying he had "abstained on B1 ... and B2" earlier and later told the board, when consent items were called, "I recuse myself from B11 and I vote yes for all the other resolutions." The chair told the speaker she could provide her materials after the meeting so they could be "plugged in."

The board did not announce any immediate investigation or formal finding during the meeting; the allegations were presented as public comment and were not resolved on the record. Trustees who spoke during the consent votes recorded recusal and abstention statements where noted in the minutes.