Frances Cogelja was forced to resign after a strange incident that took place during a Zoom meeting with more than 100 people, including students and school officials.
Earlier this week, Cogelja, a former New Jersey school board member, was humiliated after taking her device to the bathroom with her.
Cogelja, who was unaware that the camera was on, accidentally exposed and embarrassed herself as 140 people watched her relieve herself during the video call.
When Cogelja returned to the meeting, the board’s vice president Scott James-Vickery addressed the mind-boggling blunder.
He said: “As far as I’m concerned, while our teachers are professional and you’re at home sitting on the toilet. We are moving on with this district doing what’s best.”
One of the students took to Facebook to share a few jaw-dropping details about the meeting.
A teenager revealed that Cogelja “broadcast her bare bottom” during the meeting, while another joked that it was “the funniest thing I have ever witnessed in my 17 years of life.”
Another one added, “never in my life have I been so shocked.”
After parents caught wind of the mini-scandal, there was an outcry on social media, with many of them demanding that she stepped down from her post.
According to the Daily Voice, Cogelja has announced her resignation as a trustee of the Hackensack Board of Education and issued a non-statement on the matter.
She said: “I will not have a statement.”
Board President Lancelot Powell bid his colleague adieu with these words: “We had a long history of issues [with Cogelja], and we here at Hackensack want to do what’s best for the community and our kids. After last night, all I can say is we wish her the best.”
Cogelja’s resignation announcement was met with cheers on social media via a Facebook group, “For Hackensack’s Future” that gleefully shared this post: “Many of you have stood with us as we demanded Frances Cogelja’s resignation for 521 days. This is a win for all of us, but especially for the students and staff who are of color and/or members of the LGBTQIA community.”
This is not the first time that Cogelja has landed in hot water. Over the summer, many parents lashed out and said that she should resign after making comments about the LGBT community.
Cogelja said at the time: “I find it repugnant that someone’s sexual preferences have anything to do with their contributions or achievements in society. Everywhere I turn, this alternate lifestyle narrative is being shoved (down) our children’s throats. Where does it end???”
Some Cogelja backers say her conservative views played a part in her downfall.
