Rahway School Board President Addresses District’s Response to Arrest of Elementary School Principal
Board president cites confidentiality laws as district faces questions over resignation announcement.
The official logo of Rahway Public Schools (Source: Rahway Public Schools)
Chris Howell | January 28, 2026
Rahway Board of Education President Joseph Toma addressed the arrest of an elementary school principal during the opening moments of Tuesday night’s board meeting, offering the district’s most detailed public explanation to date of its response.
Former Madison Elementary School Principal Dion Patterson was arrested on January 4 and charged with endangering the welfare of a child by abuse or neglect by a caretaker, according to authorities.
Eleven days later, the district announced that Patterson had submitted his resignation but did not mention the arrest.
During the meeting, Toma said personnel matters—particularly those involving legal proceedings—are governed by strict confidentiality requirements under state law.
“The district has been transparent about employment status changes as before the board, and that transparency is guided by law, ethics, and due process,” Toma said. “It’s not by secrecy or avoidance.”
However, in a statement released on January 16, the day after the arrest became public, Toma and Superintendent Dr. Aleya Shoieb issued a joint statement confirming the arrest.
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“We are aware that there are criminal charges pending against Dr. Patterson,” the statement said. “We would like to assure the community that the charges do not involve any students of the Rahway Public School District and are unrelated to any incidents or events involving the district.”
Toma also defended the school system’s background-check process, saying records show Patterson did not have a criminal history at the time he was hired.
“We all know what happens when you assume. I’ll let you finish that statement,” Toma said. “We can save that for the Community Voice,” he added, referencing Rahway Community Voice, a local Facebook group.
In a statement to The Central Jerseyan earlier this month, defense attorney Brett Rosen said his client maintains his innocence.
“He has been a respectable member of the community for many years, and we look forward to our day in court to clear his name,” Rosen said.
An undated photograph of Dion Patterson, former Madison School principal.
Patterson was released pending further proceedings. Bail was set at $0, with conditions, according to court records.
The case is being handled in Union County Superior Court. A plea disposition conference is scheduled for March 4, 2026, before Judge Joseph P. Donohue.
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