Paterson schools weigh adding staff to handle harassment claims
By Joe Malinconico
Paterson Press
PATERSON - City education officials are trying to figure out whether they need to hire additional employees to fix the way Paterson Public Schools handles sexual harassment complaints.
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District officials said they are "assessing the resources' they need to address the findings of an investigation by the federal Education Department's Office for Civil Rights that uncovered problems with Paterson's system for addressing sexual harassment in schools.
..... After the civil rights office findings were announced Monday, [12/02/2024] Paterson Press asked the city district whether required additional funding or staff members to comply with a 15-page plan for adhering to the federal law regarding sexual harassment in schools.
..... "Specific staffing and funding decisions are still under review as we work to align with the agreement's goals," said district spokesperson Aida Rosario.
..... "We will address the requirements thorough policy updates, enhanced training for staff, improved record-keeping practices, and increased communications with students, families and staff about their rights and available support," Rosario added.
..... School board members said they were waiting to get a plan from the district's administration for resolving the problem.
..... Several board members said they were unaware that the district's sexual harassment program was under scrutiny until news of the federal review broke on Monday. [12/02/2024]
..... The U.S. Education Department;s Office for Civil Rights sent Paterson Superintendent Laurie Newell a 20-page letter on Monday [12/02/2024] detailing the districts failures over a five-year period starting in 2017.
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"The district generally failed to respond equitably to allegations of sexual harassment, including sexual assault," said the letter.
..... the civil rights office cited four instances in which its investigators learned of sexual harassment allegations involving school employees and students that were not included int eh district's compliant reports"
* High school case in which a teacher was involved in a sexual relationship with a student. The district fired the teacher and notified the Prosecutor's Office but did not alert the Office for Civil Rights.
* another instance of a high school teacher and student being involve din "an inappropriate relationship." Again, police were contacted but Paterson did not notify the U.S. Education Department.
* An elementary school student who reported hat an employee inappropriately touched her. The district investigated and determined that the allegation was "unfounded." But the district did not file reports with the civil rights office.
* A high school student who complained that a teacher touched her breasts while reaching across her. the district determine that the compliant was unfounded but did not submit report to the federal education department.
..... The letter from federal officials to Newell cited many systemic problems, such as lack of training and failures to inform staff and students about how sexual harassment should be addressed.
..... The agreement to rectify the problem include numerous deadlines that Paterson school official must meet to avoid further intervention form the federal government.
..... The agreement sets time frames for when Paterson schools must inform all stunts and staff members about sexual harassment protocols, for when training must be provided, and for when polices need to be revised.