Teacher Suspended with Pay While School Board Investigates Alleged Police Impersonation

Toms River's Board of Education will investigate the alleged police impersonation and sex crime at Intermediate East, and the teacher who allegedly was victimized has been suspended with pay while that process unfolds, according to Superintendent of Schools Frank Roselli. 

"In the interest of the teacher, students and staff, and pending a thorough investigation, the teacher in question has been put on suspension with pay," Roselli writes in a letter posted to the Intermediate East website Friday. "The Board of Education will be meeting to determine who will conduct the investigation. When that decision is made, it will be shared with the public."

Bruce A. Figular, 50, allegedly entered Intermediate East during a regular school day through an open door, claiming to be a police officer, on or about Jan. 13, and committed a sex crime on a teacher in her classroom, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said. 

Figular was indicted last week on charges of third degree burglary, third degree aggravated criminal sexual contact, and fourth degree impersonating a law enforcement officer, according to the prosecutor's office. 

"While I fully recognize the serious nature of this incident and the direct challenge it presents to the safety and security of the students and staff members at Intermediate East, I want to assure all that we will be diligent in our efforts to both thoroughly investigate and remedy areas that need to be addressed," Roselli writes. 

Board of Education President Ben Giovine said Saturday that board members and Roselli will discuss "more deeply" the security protocols in schools. 

"I know the board wants to make sure all the protocols are being followed across the board," Giovine said. "We'll certainly, as a board, look into the incident to get to the bottom of what occurred."

The full board will have the opportunity to meet and discuss the matter during an executive session scheduled before its regular meeting on Tuesday, May 21. The public will be notified about any action on the matter, according to Giovine.

Roselli said that since the incident school officials have adjusted student dismissal protocols and visitor procedures. He also welcomed parents to contact school officials with questions and concerns about the incident.