NEWS

Four hours from allegation to administrative leave for VHS teacher

Deborah M. Marko
The Daily Journal

VINELAND - Within four hours of an allegation of “inappropriate contact” with an underage student, a Vineland High School teacher surrendered his school access badge, was escorted from the building and ordered not to have contact with any students, an investigation timeline states.

Tenure dismissal charges are pending against Albert Porter with the state Department of Education alleging he was involved in an “inappropriate relationship and inappropriate contact” with a student, according to the tenure charge.

On Jan. 19, Porter, a former VHS teacher of the year, was placed on paid administrative leave from his $83,899 teaching position. He also was suspended as head boys’ basketball coach.

At 9:30 a.m. that day, assistant coaches brought an allegation against Porter to athletic director Don Robbins, states the district’s investigation timeline obtained by The Daily Journal through the Open Public Records Act.

Within 15 minutes of the notification, Robbins contacted the student’s mother to request permission to talk with her son, which she reportedly granted, the timeline states.

During that discussion, the student told school officials that Porter drove him home from school and at least twice they stopped at Porter’s home where the teacher applied a cream substance to his bare back. The dismissal charge claims Porter allegedly referred to the substance as “blessed cream.”

The timeline notes VHS officials summoned police and called the state Division of  Youth and Family Services, now known as Child Protection and Permanency.

Between 10 a.m. and noon, the student, the student’s mother and assistant coaches were interviewed by investigators. Vineland Education Association representation was called in for Porter.

At about 1 p.m., the district’s Director of Personnel Joe Rossi requested Porter’s ID badge.

Rossi notified Porter in writing confirming his administrative leave.

The personnel director informed Porter “you may not have contact with any student and that you may not come to Vineland Schools’ property unless summoned by district or legal authorities," according to a memo obtained through OPRA.

Porter “was escorted by Mr. John Provenzano, Director of Security, back to his classroom and then to his car,” according to the timeline.

Subsequently, the Institutional Abuse Investigation Unit of state Department of Children and Family determined the matter was not a case of neglect, as defined by statute, according to district memos.  

Vineland police have not charged Porter.

Porter could not be reached for comment Thursday. His attorney Kevin McCann, when reached Thursday at his Bridgeton law office, declined to comment.

The district continues to press for Porter’s dismissal.

School board members reviewed the evidence and on April 18 approved tenure dismissal charges. The following day, Porter’s suspension was changed to without pay.

Superintendent Mary Gruccio states Porter’s alleged conduct violates district policy that prohibits “any inappropriate conduct or conduct unbecoming between a staff member and a student,” in the tenure dismissal charges.

Policy 3281 states that “school staff shall not engage or seek to be in the presence of a pupil beyond that staff member’s professional responsibilities.”

The policy also prohibits teaching staff from transporting students in their personal vehicles.

In a district memo, a school official noted that Porter was involved in an incident with an athlete’s interpreter “where he signed off if there were further issues he would be immediately dismissed.”

Deborah M. Marko: 856-563-5256; dmarko@gannettnj.com: Twitter: @dmarko_dj

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