East Brunswick Public School officials say that the use of a photo of Muslim students to represent the East Brunswick High School’s Jewish Student Association in the high school yearbook was not the result of malice.

An independent investigation revealed that the use of the incorrect photo was not purposeful, but rather was a highly unfortunate error.

Yaacov Brisman, the attorney who led the investigation, wrote in a statement, “Although [the ‘Lead’ Yearbook Advisor] was incorrect regarding the date that she placed the photograph on the page, it is undeniable that she did place it herself. Further, [the ‘Lead’ Yearbook Advisor] acknowledged that she placed the incorrect photograph on the page. I found [her] credible, and I have no basis to find that she acted out of any animus, racial, religious, or political, towards Jewish or Muslim students.”

Brisman said that the advisor “was at best careless, but her actions can also be considered negligent. She should have exercised greater attention to detail when selecting the photograph.”

The full report and exhibits can be found HERE.