The former New Jersey superintendent of schools who resigned over the weekend due to a bullying scandal is still being paid, according to officials.
Dr. Triantafillos Parlapanides resigned as superintendent of the Central Regional School District on February 11 after giving an interview about the tragic suicide of 14-year-old student Adriana Kuch in which she was accused of drug usage and her father was accused of infidelity.
Attorney Christopher Dasti stated during a tense school board meeting on Thursday evening that Parlapanides was “still being paid.”
The children, parents, and members of the community in attendance immediately protested Dasti’s entry, which was captured on camera by a photographer for The Post.
“He resigned!
” a woman of unknown identity complained.
Adriana Kuch committed suicide on February 3.
Facebook / Michael Kuch
Where can I find that job?
” another person jeered.
There were several dramatic moments at the meeting, the first since Adriana’s murder prompted a public confrontation with the district’s persistent bullying problem.
During the heated discussions, an unidentified local woman addressed the school board members, “You guys are a disgrace.”
“You guys should all f—ing resign,” the speaker said.
This week, when confronted with questions regarding Central Regional High School’s inability to respond to the assault on Kuch and previous events, Parlapanides informed a reporter that the youngster was doing drugs and went on to describe her apparently terrible family history.
“Towards the end of sixth grade, [Adriana’s] father was having an affair. “Her father married the woman with whom he had an affair and moved her into the family home,” the administrator revealed in an email to the Daily Mail.
“Her grades and decisions deteriorated in seventh and eighth grade. We offered her drug treatment and mental health services five times, but her father declined each time.”
When he claimed that Adriana’s birth mother, Brandy Kuch, had committed suicide, Parlapanides callously doubled down on the alarming charges.
“We attempted to help her multiple times, but her mother’s suicide was a major factor in her decision-making decline,” he stated.
Brandy Kuch died in 2016. Her obituary does not specify the reason of death, and there is no further evidence indicating she committed suicide.
On February 11, Triantafillos Parlapanides resigned from his position.
In response to Parlapanides’ claims, Adriana’s distraught father, Michael Kuch, disputed that his daughter had a drug problem and stated that she had simply been experimenting with a marijuana vaporizer like other adolescents.
“My kid was assaulted at your school, and no action was taken. In reaction to the official’s cruel statements, he told The Post, “And now you want to blame this on everyone but yourself because you failed and you’re bad at your job.”
“The superintendent is slandering and disparaging individuals. Calling Adriana a drug addict. What’s wrong with this individual? He lacks competence.”
The next day, Parlapanides submitted his resignation letter.
It remains unknown why he continues to collect his income. Neither Christopher Dasti nor the Central Regional School District immediately responded to The Post’s request for comment.
Shortly before the announcement of Parlapanides’ ongoing payment, Michael Kuch’s attorney said that the family intended to sue the district for failing to address the bullying they feel contributed to their daughter’s suicide.
“The administration’s role in Adriana’s tragic death will be revealed, and Mr. Kuch will use all available legal means to obtain the truth for his family and the community,” said Mr. Kuch’s attorney, William A. Krais, on Friday morning.
Kuch had previously sworn to The Post that he would not rest until the administrators whom he held responsible for his daughter’s death were removed from their positions.
He emphasized, “I want that entire administration gone.”
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