“This was a single act that was in violation of school board policy.”
– Board of Education President Joseph Sayegh

By SUZANNE MARINO
Staff Writer

MARGATE – Jim Rhoades, principal of the Eugene A. Tighe Middle School in Margate, tendered his resignation Wednesday, Jan. 9 to the Margate Board of Education, according to board President Joseph Sayegh. The resignation, effective immediately, was announced at a special meeting of the board.

Sayegh said the resignation was the outcome of an investigation into a complaint about Rhoades received by the district.

He declined to provide details, saying it was a personnel matter, but said there were four points he wanted to share with the public regarding the complaint and investigation. “First of all, this was a single act that was in violation of school board policy,” Sayegh said.

“Secondly, there were no students involved. Third, the event in question did not occur during school hours; and finally, there was no criminal act involved. Further than that, we as board members are not permitted to comment,” he said.

“I know there are rumors around town, and I felt the public had a right to know that no student was involved here.”

Steve Marchel, vice president of the school board, made a comment at the meeting that indicated how seriously the district took the complaint.

“It was six business days from the beginning to the end, including today. Once we received the complaint, we dealt with it swiftly,” Marchel said.

District Superintendent Dominick Potena will assume the duties of the principal of the Tighe School, Sayegh said.

“He is the best-known educator in the school district. I think it is the best for continuity. He knows the students and the staff, and he will be assisted by members of the Tighe School staff,” the board president said.

“I don’t expect this to be a long-term situation. We will get from board meeting to board meeting and work this all out.”

The next scheduled meeting of the school board is 6:30 Tuesday, Jan. 22 at the Tighe School media center.

Rhoades was principal of the school for six years.