School District Superintendent Jason Thomson, was placed on leave after crowd surfing in the student section and then driving drunk

After kids complained that their superintendent in a New York school district crowd surfed on them and smelled of alcohol during a Friday homecoming game, the superintendent was placed on administrative leave.

Jason Thomson, the superintendent of the Baldwinsville Central School District, was detained on Friday after pupils informed the school resource officer (SRO) that he “smelled of alcohol,” according to a press release from the Baldwinsville Police Department. Having failed both a field sobriety test and a breathalyzer, Thompson, who was hired in 2021, was detained on his way home.

“The superintendent was crowd surfing amongst students in the student section of the bleachers. Several students came forward to school officials and reported that the superintendent smelled of alcohol,” Baldwinsville Police Department Chief Michael W. Lefancheck said during the conference.

According to the conference, Thompson informed police that he had “just had one beer” when he was stopped over. Thompson’s blood alcohol level (BAC) at the time of his arrest was 0.15 percent, over double the legal limit for drivers.

The Board of Education of the Baldwinsville Central School District made the announcement that Thompson will be put on leave starting on Monday.

“We share with the community’s concern over the decisions made by Superintendent of Schools Jason Thomson on Friday evening. His actions placed the student body and community at risk. The District continues to work with the Baldwinsville Police Department and is also investigating the events of the evening. While the investigations are ongoing, no further comments by the school district will be made,” the announcement said.

School district acting superintendent Joseph DeBarbieri will take over “immediately.” The board stated, “The Board supports Mr. DeBarbieri as he works with students, staff, and the community during this difficult time.”