Hawthorne school board reinstates security guard who compared Black Lives Matter to the Klan

HAWTHORNE — The Board of Education has reinstated the school security guard who was suspended for posting incendiary remarks about the Black Lives Matter movement to his personal Facebook page.

Scott Verrone, a retired Paterson police lieutenant, was removed from his position last month after writing that the movement was "nothing more than another HATE GROUP." He also compared it to the Ku Klux Klan.

School board President Michael Doyle said at the board's most recent meeting that Verrone will remain suspended this summer and will go back to his post at the high school when classes start again on Sept. 2.

Verrone, 55, who is permitted to carry a handgun on duty, is paid $25 per hour. He has been employed by the K-12 district since 2016.

Verrone's reinstatement is contingent on his completion of a "professional improvement" program, Doyle said at the virtual meeting.

"The board has taken into account the nature of Mr. Verrone's violations of board policies and has imposed consequences that the board determines are commensurate with the seriousness of his infractions," Doyle said, reading a prepared statement.

Doyle also read an apology from Verrone. In the letter, the guard outlined his community service, including his donations of toys to needy children and his portrayal of Santa Claus for Boy Scouts, homeless shelters and schools.

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"After some research into the movement," Verrone wrote, "I now realize that my words, though not intended, were hurtful and offensive. All I ask is that I be judged on my record, and my years of dedication to my community and to the students, teachers and staff in Hawthorne, and not on 26 words in a Facebook post."

Verrone did not return a call for comment on Monday.

Verrone's remarks, and his later suspension, spurred the creation of online petitions with dueling interests: one to save his job, and another to permanently remove him. His supporters collected more than three times as many signatures.

Philip DeVencentis is a local reporter for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email: devencentis@northjersey.com