BERKELEY – While police haven’t filed any charges against a Central Regional High School teacher, students and parents are saying that his behavior has been inappropriate and could even be seen as “grooming.”
A Facebook page, Jersey Coast Emergency News, shared screenshots of a conversation of a sexual nature purported to be between a student and a teacher. They named the teacher and posted his photo. This newspaper will not repeat the teacher’s name because accusing someone of a crime is illegal.
Superintendent Dr. Michelle CarneyRay-Yoder told the media that she is doing her due diligence and passing all the new information on to the proper authorities.
Initially, the Facebook page’s accusations were dismissed as hearsay. When even more information came forward, she said she forwarded it all to Berkeley Police and the Institutional Abuse Unit for review. No charges were filed as of yet.
JerseyShoreOnline.com reached out to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office about the allegations. Generally, law enforcement agencies don’t comment on investigations – or even if an investigation exists. However, they responded “We can confirm that there is no active investigation, nor are we aware of any allegation that a teacher at Central Regional High School was engaged in a sexual relationship with a student.”
There have been other claims by Jersey Coast Emergency News that haven’t been true. This included someone spotting a submarine near Sandy Hook around the time of the attacks on Iran. This caused a public disturbance and urged people to notify the Coast Guard. This newspaper contacted authorities who said that there was nothing going on. JCEN recently reported an explosion in a store in Wall Township, and police later had to post that it wasn’t true. Some groups, like the Ashley Lauren Foundation, who had been allowed access to posting on the page, had to issue a statement cutting ties with them.
Accusations
Regardless of whether the allegations are true, or whether there are any criminal charges, teachers and students had a lot to say about the teacher.
One morning, about two dozen students protested outside Central Regional High School, calling for the removal of the teacher.
They shared their stories with a reporter from The Berkeley Times, which will not name the students for the protection of their identities.
“This isn’t his first time being accused of predatory behavior,” one student said. “Central only started speaking about it when we made them.”
This student said that the teacher took inappropriate photos of himself in what was recognized as a school bathroom. When they told staff about it, they were told that they were ruining his image.
“When is it going to stop? When will students take priority over image? Central needs change. We should be learning, not protesting,” the student said.
Another student, also protected by anonymity, said that they felt gaslit by the school because they were told that he didn’t do anything wrong, while students have seen it.
They said it’s obvious that the teacher doesn’t wear underwear in class.
“The school encourages us to speak up but always silences us because their reputation and to make us sound crazy,” said a third student who wanted to comment.
The next Central Regional Board of Education meeting was postponed a week due to snow on campus, but a few members of the public came out to speak about the subject.
Kirsten Nardini said she is a parent of a child who had graduated from Central. When she heard about the allegations, she said she had already known about it from her kids. Apparently, his inappropriate behavior was “common knowledge” among students as well as staff. She went as far as saying the teacher was “grooming” students.
She suggested that the staff be given an anonymous survey about what they know.
Albert Nardini said “It’s been alarming that this person has been around for 10 years.”
When he asked about this to his daughter, she informed him that he used to rate girls’ bodies.
The true impact of his behavior might not be known for another 10 years, he said.
At the Board meeting, the policy is that officials don’t engage in a back and forth with the public. They also can’t comment on personnel issues legally.
Superintendent CarneyRay-Yoder had a prepared statement that she read at the close of the public comments. She spoke of the issue at hand as well as a student who had committed suicide recently.
“First and foremost: Our students always come first. Every decision I make, every protocol I follow, every action I take is rooted in what is best for the safety, well-being, and education of the children entrusted to our care. This is not just a professional obligation; it is a personal commitment. I am a parent of a high school student myself. I understand, on the deepest level, the trust that families place in us when they send their children through our doors each day. That trust is sacred, and I do not take it lightly,” she said.
“Second: I am immensely proud of our Staffulty and Administrative Team. Through these past couple of weeks, I have witnessed educators aside their own grief to create safe spaces for our students. I watched counselors, teachers, administrators, and support staff work tirelessly, not because it was required, but because they genuinely love and care for the young people we serve. They showed up with empathy, professionalism, and unwavering dedication during one of the most challenging weeks any school community can face. They are the heart of Central Regional, and I am honored to serve alongside them.
“Third: I follow the law. As superintendent, I am bound by legal obligations and established protocols that govern how we respond to any situation, whether it involves student safety, personnel matters, or crisis response. These protocols exist for good reason: to protect our students, to protect the rights of all involved parties, and to ensure that we act with integrity and due process. I work closely with law enforcement, with the Division of Child Protection and Permanency, and with other appropriate agencies whenever situations warrant such collaboration. I report what is required to be reported. I investigate what must be investigated. I act on evidence, not assumption.
“And this brings me to a critical point: I do not operate on rumor, hearsay, or conjecture. Social media is many things, but one thing it is generally not is a source of verified facts. Posts, comments, and speculation, no matter how widely shared or passionately stated, do not constitute evidence. When unverified claims circulate online, they can cause real harm: to individuals, to families, to our students, and to our community’s ability to heal and move forward together.
I understand the frustration that can arise when information is not immediately available. I understand the desire for answers, especially during difficult times. But I ask our community to trust in the process, a process that prioritizes truth over speed, facts over speculation, and the protection of all involved over the satisfaction of curiosity.
“If anyone in our community has factual information or evidence regarding any concern affecting our students, I encourage you, I urge you, to bring it forward through the appropriate channels. My door is open. Our administrative team is accessible. We take every concern seriously, and we will act on credible information with the urgency and thoroughness it deserves.
“To our students and families who are grieving: please know that support remains available. Our counselors, our crisis team, and our entire district stand ready to help you through this time.
“To our Staffulty: thank you. Your compassion, your resilience, and your unwavering commitment to our students have been extraordinary. You are what makes Central Regional a community, not just a school district.
“To our Board: thank you for your continued support and partnership as we navigate these challenges together.
“We will continue to put our students first. We will continue to support our Staffulty. We will continue to follow the law and act on evidence rather than speculation. That is my commitment to you, tonight and always,” she said.
