Nutley School Officials Suspend AD After 'Hitler' Remark: Report

NUTLEY, NJ — Despite several impassioned pleas on his behalf, Nutley public school officials suspended the athletic director at Nutley High School on Monday after he allegedly referred to Adolf Hitler as a “good leader” earlier this month, a report says.

NHS Athletic Director Joe Piro gave a presentation on leadership to students at Madison High School on March 16. During that appearance, Piro used Hitler as an example of a good leader with “bad moral character and intentions,” showing his photo side by side with an image of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., NJ.com reported. (Read the full article here)

After the ill-received presentation at Madison High School, Piro said he was only trying to make a point that a leader could have strong leadership skills that influence people in a negative way. He apologized for offending “anyone in or outside the Madison public school district,” NJ.com stated.

However, several Madison Public School District officials said the reference to Hitler – even in the context Piro allegedly used – was unnecessarily provocative and insensitive. Citing “serious concerns” from several parents, Madison school officials said that a “less emotionally charged example” would have been more effective... and more appropriate.

• See related article: Speaker Who Called Hitler 'Good Leader' At Madison HS Suspended, Report Says

According to NJ.com, while Piro was never specifically named by the Nutley Board of Education on March 25, supporters who spoke on his behalf confirmed he was employee #1615 in Monday’s personnel resolution.

That resolution states the Nutley school superintendent could eventually reinstate the suspended employee after he/she completes a “reentry plan.”

Several of Piro’s peers offered strong support on his behalf during Monday’s BOE meeting, including retired New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association Executive Director Steve Timko, Directors of Athletics Association of New Jersey president Denis Nelson, past DAANJ president Bill Edelman and Madison athletic director Sean Dowling, NJ.com reported.

“Good kids – just like adults – at times do dumb things,” one speaker commented, praising Piro's numerous contributions to the school community. “That does not make them bad people.”

Watch a video of the March 27 meeting below, including statements of support for Piro.

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