SECAUCUS, NJ — Two weeks ago, we reported that the Secaucus school district is continuing to pay former school superintendent Erick Alfonso his $180,000 yearly salary, ever since the Board of Education placed him on paid leave in March.
As of Oct. 25, the Secaucus school district has paid Alfonso $106,500 for the past eight months he has not been allowed to work; the number increases weekly.
But the expenses don’t end there: The school board hired an individual named Peter Fallon to investigate the mysterious complaints made against Alfonso in March.
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Fallon is a lawyer who does investigations into allegations made in public school districts. The Secaucus Board of Education hired Fallon on March 25, at a rate of $175 per hour, according to the school district. His contract states he will be paid a maximum amount of $13,250, depending on the length of his investigation, which has gone on for eight months now.
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“The professional fees being paid to Mr. Fallon are paid as current expenses in the district’s budget,” said the Secaucus school district in a statement released to Patch Monday. “Mr. Fallon’s investigation is ongoing.”
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It was the board’s lawyer, Stephen Fogarty, who recommended hiring Fallon to investigate the complaints made against Alfonso. Fallon was hired to conduct an independent investigation and determine if a) the complaints are legitimate; b) if there was wrondoing and c) how to proceed —including whether or not the BOE has legal grounds to void Alfonso’s three-year contract, which does not expire until June 30, 2026.
According to his LinkedIn profile, Fallon has “over ten years experience conducting independent affirmative action, discrimination and workplace investigations for public school districts throughout the state of New Jersey and for charter schools and other educational institutions.”
Fallon served for 22 years on the Wachung Hill school board and elsewhere, but does not currently sit on any Board of Education.
To this day, it is unknown what Alfonso is accused of.
Last week, Mayor Mike Gonnelli said “a report should be out relatively soon,” meaning Fallon’s report should be completed “soon” on the allegations against Alfonso.
It is extremely unlikely that report will be made public. But it may be.
“I wish it was,” said the mayor last week.
Alfonso will continue to be paid until the Board takes further action: He is still technically considered the Secaucus school superintendent. He is still locked into a three-year contract he signed with the Board of Education. His $180,000-a-year contract expires June 30, 2026.
Secaucus Superintendent Paid $180K Salary, Has Not Worked For 8 Months
Secaucus Superintendent Paid $106,500 So Far, For 8 Months Of Not Working
Secaucus Superintendent Placed On Paid Leave (March 22)
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