Former coaches lose teaching certificates after convictions
Jim WalshTRENTON - A state disciplinary board has revoked the teaching credentials of two former coaches at South Jersey high schools.
David H. Light, who coached a girls' softball team at Gloucester City High School, has lost his credentials after pleading guilty in connection with alleged sexual misconduct with a student, according to the state Board of Examiners.
Separately, the board said it had revoked the credentials of Reggie Lawrence, who was accused in April 2016 of stealing funds while serving as a class adviser at Willingboro High School.
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Lawrence, a football coach at several schools, received a 90-day jail term in January after pleading guilty to misapplication of entrusted property, the board said.
As part of his plea, Lawrence was “forever disqualified” from public employment in New Jersey, the board noted.
Light, who was charged in February 2016 with sexual assault and criminal sexual contact, admitted guilt in June to endangering-abuse/neglect of a child, the board said.
The Gloucester City man received a four-year probationary term in September and agreed to relinquish his teaching certificates, according to the board.
Light, 35, allegedly had a sexual relationship with a student at Gloucester City High between May and December 2008, according to the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office.
He was the girls' softball coach and a substitute teacher at the high school at the time of the alleged relationship, the prosecutor’s office said.
The board revoked both men’s teaching certificates at a Dec. 8 meeting.
Light’s credentials, issued from 2013 to 2015, included one certificate to teach elementary school in grades K-6 and another with specialization in mathematics in grades 5-8.
Lawrence held two teacher of social studies certificates issued in 1996 and 1997.
The Mount Laurel resident held coaching positions at high schools in several South Jersey towns, including Willingboro, Burlington City, Haddon Heights and Camden.
He had a 108-49 career record, leading teams to nine conference titles and a pair of South Jersey championships.
Jim Walsh: @jwalsh_cp; 856-486-2646; jwalsh@gannettnj.com