We, the undersigned residents, parents, and taxpayers of Washington Township, demand that Board President Julie Kozempel immediately resign from the Washington Township Board of Education. Her continued presence on the Board undermines public trust, defies ethical standards, and distracts from the mission of supporting students, staff, and educational excellence.

Julie Kozempel has repeatedly demonstrated that she is unfit to lead in any capacity on the Washington Township Board of Education. Despite public outcry, confirmed legal violations, and multiple documented ethical breaches, she refuses to step aside.

Here are the facts:
🔹 Found Guilty of Ethics Violations
In July 2025, the New Jersey School Ethics Commission found Kozempel in violation of three provisions of the School Ethics Act — including disclosing confidential information, undermining school staff, and compromising the integrity of the Board. These are not technicalities — they are serious violations that erode public confidence.

🔹 Placed the Superintendent on Leave Through Illegal Means
A Superior Court judge ruled that the Board, under Kozempel’s leadership, violated the Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA) and improperly invoked the Doctrine of Necessity to remove Superintendent Dr. Eric Hibbs. That decision was reversed by court order, further validating that this was a politically motivated action — not a lawful one.

🔹 Ongoing Legal Consequences
Dr. Hibbs has filed a civil lawsuit alleging retaliation and wrongful suspension. The legal and financial consequences for the district are mounting — consequences that will ultimately fall on taxpayers.

🔹 Irresponsible Fiscal Management
In the same year these ethics and legal issues came to a head, the Board approved a significant tax increase on local residents — all while failing to address the district’s fundamental budget concerns. Long-term structural problems, rising fixed costs, and depleted reserves have gone unaddressed. This is not leadership; it’s avoidance.

🔹 Continued Defiance and Lack of Accountability
Rather than take responsibility, Kozempel has repeatedly misrepresented the facts to the public and even claimed she felt “vindicated” — despite confirmed findings to the contrary by both the courts and the School Ethics Commission.

🔹 The Public Has Lost Confidence
Parents, students, educators, and residents have made their voices clear — we are done with secrecy, retaliation, and political games. We deserve leadership grounded in integrity, transparency, and respect for the law.

We, the undersigned, call for the following:
The immediate resignation of Julie Kozempel from the Washington Township Board of Education.
A public commitment from the remaining Board members to uphold transparency, legality, and ethical governance moving forward.
Restoration of public trust through accountability and fiscal responsibility.

This petition represents the voice of the community — not political factions.
Our schools deserve leaders who lift up students and staff, not ones who weaponize their power for personal agendas.

Let this be the moment where the community draws a line and says: enough is enough.

#KozempelMustResign #ProtectOurSchools #RestoreTrust #TaxedButNotHeard