Former tuition student asks board to reconsider prom ban

During the public-comment period, Brian Tortella, who said he lives in Paulsboro and reported high-school sports in South Jersey, told the board he was dismissed from Pittman High School last year as a tuition student after an incident described by administration as "gross disrespect." He said counselors later approved an out-of-town prom permission slip but the principal revoked permission three days later without explanation. Tortella said he has since attended Woodstown High School with no disciplinary incidents and asked the board to allow him to attend Pittman’s prom.

Brian's mother, Eileen Tortellas, spoke after him and urged the board to provide a reason for the revocation. She said the dismissal caused significant distress for the family and described her son as a straight-A student at his new school, employed and responsible. She asked the board to respond and reconsider the decision.

The President invited the family to share materials by email or to send them to Dr. Preston, the district administrator, who was offered as the staff contact to follow up. No immediate reversal or board directive was recorded at the meeting; the request remained unresolved and administrators were asked to accept the written materials for follow up.