Officials: MES Principal Didn't ID Students

Principal Colleen Graziano never revealed the identities of several students in photos brought to the principal some years ago, according to a statement read Tuesday by board President Michelle LaSala. 

Graziano reached out to LaSala last month to "set the record straight" on a recent and asked for their names.

The report stems from a June incident in which Muly filed a complaint with borough police against school board Member Mike Shelton alleging harassment. Shelton was cleared by local and county authorities of any wrongdoing.  

Graziano, who met with LaSala, Superintendent Geraldine Margin and board member Linda DiPalma, told district officials that she never gave away the students' identities to Muly and instead suggested she take the issue directly to Manasquan police, LaSala said. 

"I assured Principal Graziano that I would make certain the board heard this information and that we all knew she did nothing wrong or improper," LaSala said. 

Graziano's recollection of the conversation also appears to conflict with Muly's statement to police. 

Muly told police in June that the students were vandalzing property, while Graziano told district officials that Muly said she witnessed the students "partying," according to LaSala and the police report. 

Graziano also stated that she had "no part in providing information to the local media," LaSala said. 

"(Graziano) stated that she would never do anything to cause harm or negative publicity to the school board or district," LaSala said. 

LaSala went on to say that the board's recent portrayal in the local newspaper does not accurately reflect the job it has been doing. 

"If you rely soley on what you read in the paper, you will probably be quite surprised to learn that we actually do and have been conducting business," LaSala said. 

LaSala said the board was "once and for all" putting the recent controversy behind itself and beginning "a new chapter."