the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Teterboro NJ, , a Bergen County family has filed a lawsuit claiming their teenage son was wrongfully expelled and emotionally traumatized by the principal of his “dream school” — Bergen County Technical High School in Teterboro.
The student, a disabled minor from Hasbrouck Heights, was allegedly subjected to intimidation, humiliation, and discrimination after a minor bathroom accident, according to the legal filing.
Lawsuit: Principal Accused of Threatening, Expelling Student Over Toilet Incident
The incident occurred in May 2023, when the student accidentally clogged a toilet and approached Principal David Tankard to apologize. Instead of accepting the apology, the lawsuit claims, Tankard reacted aggressively:
“[Tankard] smacked him on the back with great force and shouted, ‘Have a good weekend because you won’t be coming back here. You’re done.’”
The student was then allegedly taken to the principal’s office, where Tankard forced him to call his mother, shouted at both of them, and threatened to involve police unless they signed a document admitting guilt.
A Promising Future Derailed
The student had long dreamed of attending Bergen Tech and was elated upon acceptance after years of effort and preparation. But his time at the school came to an abrupt end, and the lawsuit claims the fallout has been severe:
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💥 Expelled with no due process
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🧠 Now suffering from chronic psychological distress
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📉 On a downward mental health spiral since the event
According to the family, the incident worsened the student’s pre-existing learning disabilities and language impairments, triggering long-term trauma and disrupting his emotional development.
District Response: Silence So Far
The lawsuit names several parties, including:
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Principal David Tankard
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Bergen County Technical Schools
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Bergen County Special Services School District
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County Commissioners
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Board of Education of the Vocational Schools
As of this writing, Assistant Superintendent Andrea Sheridan stated the district had not been served notice of the lawsuit. The county commissioners and board members did not immediately respond to media inquiries.
The lawsuit also alleges that when the family sought help, Sheridan privately apologized and acknowledged the boy wasn’t the first student to face such treatment under Tankard’s leadership.
Allegations of Abuse, Discrimination, and Misconduct
The family’s lawsuit accuses Tankard and the school district of:
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Abuse of power and authority
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Disability-based discrimination
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Emotional and psychological harm
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Failing to protect student rights
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Attempting to cover up misconduct
The case underscores the importance of student protections, mental health support, and the need for transparency in school discipline procedures.
Mental Health and Disability Rights at the Forefront
This case raises serious concerns about how schools manage students with disabilities and respond to minor behavioral issues. It highlights the potential for administrative abuse and the lasting consequences of institutional misconduct.
As the lawsuit proceeds, many in the Bergen County community — and beyond — will be watching closely to see how the district responds and what changes may result.
This disgusting man shouldn’t be in any field dealing with children. Where is the vetting process? Apparently this is not the first incident
I attend this school currently and Mr. Tankard is one of the most respectful principals I’ve ever seen. Far from “disgusting.”
how did he “accidentally” clog the toilet ?
It wasn’t an accident…
It wasn’t an accident…
The school’s response will be revealing. We’ll see what kind of ‘accident’ it was.
I went to this school also. This isn’t the first incident in which Tankard behaved like this, and it likely won’t be the last. It is a shame that such a great school filled with talented students could be brought down by one person.