Pingry School Investigates Sexual Abuse Allegations of Former Educator

Basking Ridge, NJ -- Pingry School has launched an investigation into allegations by an alumni of sexual abuse by a former employee decades ago.

The elite preparatory school with locations in Basking Ridge and Short Hills sent out an email to parents and alumni on Monday alerting them of the situation.

"While these events took place many years ago, we realize that they continue to cause pain for members of our community," Headmaster Nathaniel E. Conard stated in the letter. "It is sickening that an educator, entrusted with the responsibility of protecting children, would cause such suffering. Behavior of this nature is appalling and deplorable."

The allegations were made by a few Pingry alumni students that were sexually abused by Thad Alton.

Alton was an employee of Short Hills Country Day School from 1972 to 1974 and, following the merger of the two institutions, an employee of The Pingry School from 1974 to 1978.

During his time at the school he served as an assistant principal and guidance counselor and also taught sixth grade and social studies. He also served as a soccer coach at the school and scoutmaster for a boy scouts troop, which consisted of students from the school, according to nj.com.

After leaving Pingry, Alton eventually moved to upstate New York and by 1981 was working at a university there. In 1990, he was convicted in New York State of two counts of sexual abuse of minors. Alton was incarcerated until 1995.

Alton was convicted of Sexual Abuse, first degree and Sodomy, second degree.

Alton, who is 69 now, is listed on the New York State Sex Offender Registry with an address in Manhattan currently.

The school has contacted local law enforcement and are assisting them in their investigation.

Additionally, the Board of Trustees has approved the engagement of an independent, highly qualified professional firm, T&M Protection Resources, to conduct a thorough investigation into the events of the 1970s.

On Tuesday at the Basking Ridge Campus, Pingry held an all-school meeting to address the students about the investigation. The school does not plan to address the Lower School students in Short Hills.

Pingry is asking alumni and the parent community to come forward if they have additional reports or information related to Alton or other information they wish to share with the school.

The school offered resources to alumni and parents about how to speak with your children about sexual abuse including contact information for the school counselors.

School Counselors:

• Dr. Mikaela Kilker 908-647-5555 ext. 1378 mkilker@pingry.org
• Dr. Perry Bell 908-647-5555 ext. 1375 pbell@pingry.org
• Dr. Alyssa Johns 908-647-5555 ext. 1371 ajohns@pingry.org

T&M Protection Resources Contact Information:
Laura Kirschstein 212-916-8852 lkirschstein@tmprotection.com

(Photo: Thad Alton)