Clinton Township Newsletter

1 1 a u g u s t 2 0 2 6 Clinton Township School District BOE Lawsuit Update In 2019, New Jersey lifted the statute of limitations for civil sexual abuse claims. As a result, our district is currently facing eight lawsuits involving alleged abuse from the 1960s and 1970s. Six of the claims involve one former teacher, and two involve a former substitute. We conducted extensive research to locate insurance coverage from that era. Unfortunately, the insurance carrier used by the district is no longer in business, and no other company assumed responsibility for its policies. This means that any settlement or judgment must be paid directly from the district's current operating budget. This is the same budget used to educate today's students, maintain our schools, and provide essential programs and services. We have settled two cases for a total of $150,000. While no settlement is insignificant, doing so avoided legal expenses that likely would have exceeded $100,000 per case. We have attempted to reach reasonable resolutions in the remaining six cases, but agreements have not been possible. Our hearts go out to anyone who experienced abuse at the hands of an adult who was entrusted with their care. If these allegations are true, the harm is immeasurable. At the same time, no current employee or Board member was involved during that period, and many were not even alive when these events allegedly occurred. The passage of more than 50 years also makes it extraordinarily difficult for the district to defend itself. The district simply does not have the financial capacity to pay substantial settlements without jeopardizing the education of our current students. This past year, taxpayers supported nearly a 6% tax increase to preserve music, art, and enrichment programs while addressing critical facility needs, including leaking roofs. Additional unbudgeted costs could place those investments—and the district's financial stability—at risk. If these remaining cases proceed to trial, the district will incur significant legal costs, and an adverse judgment could create financial obligations for which there is no clear funding mechanism. Ultimately, those costs could fall on today's taxpayers and students. We are sharing this because our community deserves to understand the challenges the district is facing. Over the past five years, we have worked diligently to strengthen our finances, control spending, and build reserves to address long-overdue capital improvements. Those efforts are now at risk. While we cannot change the law, the loss of historical insurance coverage, or the events alleged to have occurred decades ago, we can ask for your support. We encourage you to contact your state legislators and local elected officials to advocate for a solution that protects both survivors and the educational interests of today's students. School districts should not be forced to choose between meeting the needs of current children and addressing claims for which no insurance coverage exists. If you have questions or would like additional information, please contact the Superintendent's Office. We appreciate your continued support as we work to preserve a strong, stable future for our students and our community. -Sincerely, Dr. Melissa Stager, Superintendent and CTSD Board of Education I n L o v e A n d S o n g – B u i l d i n g a C o m m u n i T y F o r B r a i n T u m o r a n d B r a i n C a n C e r p a T i e n T s In Love And Song, a New Jersey non-profit, was established in 2023 with a mission of building a community for brain tumor and brain cancer patients, survivors, and the caregivers. ILAS was formed in memory of Lou Zucker and Billy Misik, and in honor of Billy's mother, the incomparable Chris Misik. Mrs. Misik signs everything from holiday cards to text messages with "In love and song." For more information on how you can directly help those affected by brain tumors and brain cancer, please visit: www.InLoveAndSong.org and follow us on social media: @inloveandsongorg. " Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass on a summer day listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is hardly a waste of time." —John Lubbock

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