NorthJersey.com: Principal and Vice Principal at Ridgewood Avenue School Placed on Leave Following Teacher Grooming Allegations
Notice of Claim Filed Over Grooming Allegations at Ridgewood Avenue Elementary School
Last week, Drazin & Warshaw filed a notice of claim with the Glen Ridge School Board, Ridgewood Avenue Elementary School. The filing signals our intent to pursue legal action on behalf of a student who was allegedly groomed by a teacher over the course of nearly four years.
Now, the school’s principal, Michael Donovan and the vice principal, Jonathan Heitmann, have been placed on leave through the end of the 2024-2025 school year.
Principal and Vice Principal Placed on Leave Amid Grooming Investigation
While the school district did not confirm whether the decision to place both men on leave was related to the notice of claim, it closely followed the formal resignation of alleged perpetrator Gerald White just weeks earlier. White is accused of beginning to groom our client at the age of 11, with the abuse continuing for nearly four years. The alleged misconduct came to light when a fellow teacher discovered the girl’s journal while cleaning out a classroom.
The journal detailed years of alleged abuse, ranging from handwritten notes and early morning meetings to voice memos, texts, and requests for photos and romantic involvement. “Some of the messages the two shared said the seduction was known to other employees,” Justin Drazin, the lead attorney on this case, said, “Nevertheless, the illicit tryst was never reported to authorities or the victim’s parents until the diary was found.”
School’s Response Raises Questions About Grooming Awareness and Oversight
The announcement of the principal and vice principal’s leave cited “safety concerns” and referenced procedures for reporting potential issues to law enforcement. Their roles will be temporarily filled by Central School principal, Keisha Harris, according to the superintendent’s letter.
Drazin & Warshaw Seek $10 Million Following Grooming-Related Failures at NJ School
Cases like this are disturbing — and our law firm ensures these egregious acts don’t go unnoticed. Drazin & Warshaw intends to pursue $10 million in damages from the district for the unimaginable — and preventable — harm our client endured at the hands of an adult entrusted with her care and well-being.
Unfortunately, cases involving teacher grooming, teacher harassment and/or abuse are not isolated. It takes one brave person to speak out for others to feel comfortable doing the same. Drazin & Warshaw is committed to giving a voice to those who have been voiceless for far too long.
If you or someone you know was groomed by a teacher or suspect abuse, contact us at 732-333-8141 for a free consultation. Your story matters and we are here to listen, pursue justice, and get to the bottom of what happened so it doesn’t happen again.
Read the full story here: Glen Ridge places Ridgewood Avenue School principal and vice principal on indefinite leave
Disclaimer: This blog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this blog does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please contact our office directly for legal assistance.
