Holmdel, NJ - Kenilworth School District Superintendent Thomas Tramaglini has submitted his resignation after he was arrested in April, accused of defecating on a high school track.
Tramaglini's attorney has submitted tort paperwork to sue the police for damages over $1 million dollars, following his arrest, according to Holmdel Patch.
The investigation into the pooping spree started as the Holmdel High School track team was encountering feces on the track each day, according to Patch.
Staff and coaches at Holmdel High School told the school’s resource officer that they “were finding human feces” in the athletic area “on a daily basis,” the Holmdel Township Police Department said in a Facebook post.
Staff members joined the school resource officer in monitoring the area, and were “able to identify a subject responsible for the acts,” the department said.
Tramaglini, 42, was arrested at 5:50 a.m. April 30, after he was observed defecating on the football field, The Washington Post reported.
He was charged with public urination or defecation, lewdness, and discarding and dumping of litter, a police spokesman said.
“Given the nature of those charges, he asked for and was granted a paid leave of absence,” the Kenilworth Board of Education said in a Facebook post.
“Leaves can only be without pay in the face of indictments or tenure charges, as a matter of state law,” the board added.
Tramaglini, who collects an annual salary of $147,504, has headed the Kenilworth School District since August of 2015, NJ.com reported.
He has remained on paid leave ever since. Now, Tramaglini is resigning his position.
"In recognition of this fact, and in an effort to avoid legal fees and expensive litigation, and in the best interests of all concerned, including the faculty, staff and students of the Kenilworth School District, Dr. Tramaglini has tendered, and the board has accepted, his resignation effective September 30, 2018," the school district said, according to Patch.
Tramaglini's attorney filed the court paperwork to sue the police citing emotional distress and invasion of privacy of the man accused of repeatedly pooping in public.
The attorney told NJ.com that the mugshot was unnecessary because it was a low-level offense.
“It is our position that the photograph that has been widely disseminated was unlawfully taken and maliciously distributed,” the attorney told NJ.com.
There is no current case law which prevents law enforcement from taking mug shots of people who are in custody for criminal offenses.
"This notion that Tom is 'serial pooper' is unfounded and frankly it's disgusting and unfair," Adams said told NJ.com. "It's really unfair to malign a guy who has had a great career. You talk to any of Tom's colleagues about his career and what he’s done for kids they’ll tell you that."
The superintendent made his first court appearance June 12, and entered a plea of not guilty. His next court date is scheduled Aug. 13.
The arrest report states that police have two DVDs which allegedly have surveillance video catching Tramaglini in the act.
The police have refused to released the video of the defecation in action, citing security concerns at the school.
