Threat of Violence by Hamilton BOE Member 'Categorically Inappropriate' Letter States

HAMILTON, NJ - Hamilton Township Schools officials are rebuking comments made by Board of Education member Anthony Celentano at the body’s April 24 meeting.

According to the letter, the comment, which can be heard just after the four-hour mark of the meeting in a video posted on Facebook by Hamilton Township Community Supporting Education, a grassroots organization that was first launched in 2015, included “the threat of a violent act."

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“The remark was categorically inappropriate,” the letter said, offering an apology. “Even where threats are rhetoric only and not intended, they are unbecoming of a public official, inconsistent with the behavior we must model for our students, and debase legitimate discourse on school issues.”

Taking to Facebook, another BOE member shared that the comment insinuated that Celentano was going to “punch” the woman who was approaching the microphone for her turn to speak during a public comment period.

“This is not what Hamilton is about and I am thoroughly embarrassed by his inexcusable behavior,” Meaghan Stanton said in her post.

The letter, which was cosigned by BOE President Dina Thornton and Superintendent Dr. Scott Rocco went on to acknowledge that topics on the agenda and conversations during the meeting can be contentious, and have been over the years.

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“Yet, even in the most stressful of situations, Board of Education members, and administrative team participating in the meetings, have always shown the required decorum expected at a public meeting.”

The letter closed by asking Celentano, without mentioning him by name, to take responsibility for his actions, understand the harm he has caused, to seek to redeem himself, and to refrain from causing further harm.

Celentano has not responded to an email seeking comment, this article will be updated as appropriate.

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