The teachers’ union in Old Bridge has called for the resignation of a board of education member who, along with his wife, was charged with taking over $50,000 from a Parent Teacher Association and youth sports organization.
“The Old Bridge Education Association calls on Leonardo Marchetta to resign effective immediately or that the Board of Education act decisively and justly, and take a vote to remove him,” the Association said in a Facebook post Tuesday night.
Marchetta, 42, and his wife Dana A. Marchetta were charged Monday with taking $41,068 from the Grissom Elementary School PTA and another $12,417 from the Rebels Football & Cheer Association, police said in a statement Tuesday. The missing money was initially reported to authorities in September.
Attorneys for the Marchettas were not immediately listed. Leonardo Marchetta did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment about calls for his resignation from the school board.
“Mr. Marchetta’s charges not only cast a shadow of doubt over his integrity, ethics, and trustworthiness, but they also cause us to question his decision-making as a member of the board of education,” the OBEA wrote. “While Mr. Marchetta should be afforded his due process rights, members of the Board of Education are expected to abide by the Code of Ethics for School Board Members and it appears that Mr. Marchetta has not.”
Superintendent for the school district David Cittadino thanked local law enforcement for their efforts in protecting the district in a statement Wednesday night, but added that the charges did not automatically disqualify Marchetta from serving on the board.
“Regrettably, the school district was notified of being a named victim in this matter via targeted fraudulent check submissions for goods and services,” Cittadino said. “We trust in the judicial process to address this matter appropriately, and we look forward to swiftly moving past this incident, allowing our district and community to focus on our primary mission of serving children.”
Cittadino said the district had been advised by their attorney that the charges do not disqualify Marchetta from serving on the board.
“In the event of a conviction or plea, we will revisit this matter in accordance with the law,” he added.
The president of the Board of Education did not immediately return a request for comment Wednesday afternoon.
Marchetta’s term on the board expires at the end of 2024 and boards have limited authority to remove publicly elected board members, according to the NewJersey School Boards Association.
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Matthew Enuco may be reached at Menuco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Matt on X.
