The Hopewell Valley Regional Board of Education has appointed Kenneth Mason as interim athletic director.
Mason is temporarily replacing the district’s athletic director, Winfield Becker, who has been placed on administrative leave by the Hopewell Valley Regional School District.
Becker was recently charged by Plumstead Township police with loitering, prowling at night and summary harassment for allegedly peering into the window of a young girl at her home.
Mason, who was appointed by the school board during its August regular meeting and started in his new interim position on Aug. 21, had served since April as interim athletic director for Ewing Township Public Schools.
He previously served as athletic director for the Plumsted Township School District, athletic director in the West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District and director of health, physical education and athletics at Lawrence High School.
Superintendent Rosetta Treece, during the school board’s August regular meeting, referenced a letter she sent district families on Aug. 14 informing them that Becker had been criminally charged.
“I can’t say much about it, but I do want to say this. On (Aug. 14), I sent you a letter regarding district actions since we learned on (Aug. 14) that our district’s athletic director was criminally charged in Pennsylvania,” Treece said.
“The employee is entitled to a presumption of innocence until this pending charge is finally resolved. Per board policy however what we did was the person has been placed on administrative leave, which is our policy, and I want you to know we are working very hard to make sure a replacement is in place because we know the athletic director position is a very important role.”
She said the district wants to make sure its sports programs, staff and students are taken care of as the school year begins.
“Tonight there is a recommendation for an interim athletic director. Someone who is well qualified former athletic director in Lawrence. He is very familiar with the role. He has finished the interim in both West Windsor, Plumstead, he is currently in Ewing,” Treece said on Aug. 17.
“He should be reporting to us very soon should the board approve that recommendation this evening. So, we are very comfortable we have a temporary placement while this issue is being resolved.”
According to Plumstead Township police, Becker has a preliminary hearing scheduled for Sept. 8 before Judge Gambardella in Ottsville, Pennsylvania.
Police were sent to the girl’s home at about 10:40 p.m. Aug. 6 to investigate a report of a man peering into her window. Becker, who lives near the girl, was identified as the suspect after the homeowner’s surveillance video captured the incident, according to published reports.
“There are no allegations that this employee had inappropriate conduct in this community, in our school district, and is not related to any of the district students at all,” Treece said.
“Because it is a personnel matter, I cannot say any more about that. However, if there are changes in the future. I assure you I will let the public know as soon as any changes take place.”
