PERTH AMBOY — Two administrators and several support staff at a Perth Amboy elementary school have been placed on paid leave over allegations of alcoholic beverages being sold at the school, according to officials.

"It has come to my attention that allegations have been made regarding the sale of alcoholic beverages at Dr. Herbert N. Richardson School in December 2011," acting School Superintendent Vivian Rodriguez said in an e-mail to school board members Monday.

"This matter has been reported to the police and is pending an investigation. All involved staff members including principal, vice-principal, and support staff have been placed on leave pending the investigation," Rodriguez said in the e-mail.

No other details were released about the allegations, but school principal Alvaro Cores today blasted the action as "a political witch hunt."

Cores said he could not go into details about the allegations, but "all the falsehoods will come to light." He also said he has made inquiries with the police and city officials and can find no indication of a police investigation.

"I’m cooperating with an investigation I have no knowledge even exists," Cores said. "This building’s administration has been gutted a week before (a state test) is to be given. I’m really sad for the kids."

Perth Amboy Police Chief Ben Ruiz said he was aware staff members at the Richardson school were placed on leave, but he said there was no police investigation at the school and no evidence a crime was committed.

Ruiz said Superintendent Janine Caffrey, who has since been placed on administrative leave, notified his department several months ago about the alcohol allegations. The chief said the issue was handled internally and there was insufficient evidence for a police investigation.

"This makes no sense whatsoever," Ruiz said of the school staff members being relieved of their duties. "I have to assume it’s all part of the chaos going on over at the school board."

Rodriguez’s action came five days after school board members voted 4-0 to place Caffrey on paid leave and hired a consultant to negotiate a settlement of the remaining two years of her contract. Five board members abstained from voting, with four citing conflicts about voting on personnel issues because they have relatives employed by the school district.

When contacted today, Caffrey said she will fight the board’s decision to remove her, but she declined to comment on what happened at Richardson School.

Responding to calls from a reporter, Rodriguez issued a statement that Derrick Kyriacou, a supervisor at Richardson school, was appointed to serve as principal.

"Mr. Derrick Kyriacou has been temporarily assigned to Dr. Herbert N. Richardson School. All duties and responsibilities of the building principal will be covered by Mr. Kyriacou," she said in the statement.

"Certain individuals have been placed on leave. However, we are unable to comment on personnel matters or the extent of any pending investigations at this time," she said.

There was no indication how long the investigation would take or how long people would remain on leave.

Richardson school vice principal Karen Moffatt said she received a letter Monday from Rodriguez advising her of the investigation.

"I’ve done nothing wrong," Moffatt said. "Beyond the receipt of the letter, I know nothing further of the situation. I will cooperate fully with the investigation."

She declined to comment further when asked about the allegations, saying "I’m standing by my statement."

School board president Samuel Lebreault referred all questions to Rodriguez.

Caffrey was placed on leave at an April 25 special school board meeting during which Lebreault read 22 allegations against her, including giving interviews to newspapers and accusing him and another board member of pushing to give district jobs to their friends.

He called the attacks on board members and staff a "great disservice to the community," and said staff morale was at a low point.

Caffrey called the charges "baseless."

Related coverage:

• Perth Amboy school board puts superintendent on paid leave

• Moran: Perth Amboy putting schools superintendent on leave wastes money, hurts kids

• Moran: In Perth Amboy, politics derailing school reform