Superintendent accused of defecating on school track resigns

KENILWORTH, N.J. -- The New Jersey school superintendent accused of repeatedly defecating on another high school's track has resigned. The Star-Ledger of Newark reports the Kenilworth school board accepted Thomas Tramaglini's resignation Thursday. 

In an email and voicemail sent to staff, the board said it became clear his continued service became "too much of a distraction." Tramaglini is charged with public defecation, lewdness and littering.

Authorities say surveillance video caught Tramaglini May 1 following an early-morning run at Holmdel High School, which is in another northern New Jersey school district. Police said staff members were watching to see who'd been leaving human feces near the track and football field area "on a daily basis."

Speaking to Crimesider in May, Holmdel Sgt. Theodore Sigismondi wouldn't speak to how long staff had reported finding feces on the track, citing the ongoing investigation. He wouldn't say how officials identified Tramaglini as a suspect or whether officers saw the alleged act that led to the charges.

In a statement on Facebook after the incident, the Kenilworth school district said that "given the nature of the charges," Tramaglini asked for and was granted a paid leave of absence.

According to NJ.com, Tramaglini has been the Kenilworth superintendent since 2015, and had previously worked as chief academic officer in Keansburg and held positions in Plumsted and Freehold Borough. He is also reportedly a part-time lecturer for the Rutgers Graduate School of Education.

His lawyer issued a statement saying Tramaglini will continue to fight the allegations and his resignation should not "be construed as an acknowledgement of guilt."

The municipal charges Tramaglini faces are equivalent to misdemeanors, Sigismondi said. A court hearing is pending.