Audio reveals Sayreville staffers deny knowledge of harassment

In an audio recording of Tuesday's meeting at Sayreville War Memorial High School, district officials say they were not aware of the incidents of alleged bullying, intimidation and harassment within the high school football program.

On the audio recording, obtained by NJ Advance Media,  Superintendent of Schools Richard Labbe is heard addressing the contentious, parents-only meeting where he announced the cancellation of the school’s remaining football season.

According to an accompanying article posted on NJ.com, the audio recording "provides new detail of how and when district administrators were informed of the allegations, how the district will conduct its own investigation into the alleged bullying behavior and the disconnect between parents and administrators over the district’s anti-bullying policies."

Allegations that members of the Sayreville high school football team were subjected to hazing of a lewd and sexual nature are being investigated by the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office, according to a new report in Sports Illustrated.

Quoting sources, "including one close to the investigation," a story posted on the magazine's homepage says prosecutors are "looking into whether upperclassmen on the Sayreville football team digitally penetrated underclassmen on the team."

Prosecutors have thus far declined to discuss any details of their investigation.

In a related development, Labbe is quoted by NJ Advance Media as saying his teenaged son has been a victim of bullying in the past.

Labbe did not share any details of the bullying or suggest it was in any way connected to the current allegations involving the Sayreville football team. But he appeared to make an indirect reference to it in his comments Tuesday night, according to the report.

Labbe said he is "a parent of a 17-year-old in which my worst nightmare is the day that I learn that my child is victimized." His decision to cancel the remainder of the Sayreville's football schedule "was not a decision that was made without great thought and consideration," he said.

In an attempt to bounce back from the allegations of "pervasive and wide-scale" harassment, intimidation and bullying the Sayreville School District is offering assistance and the promise of safety to anyone who may need it.

Labbe said the entire school community is being treated as a victim. He said the local police department is assisting in the matter by providing Sayreville War Memorial High School with an "additional school resource officer" in order to ensure the safety of all students.

"We have guidance counselors, we have crisis counselors, we have school psychologists, school social workers and even counselors from outside agencies on standby," Labbe said.

Labbe said it's his goal to make sure students, victims and their parents feel safe within the district's schools.