Closter Board of Education Named in Negligence Lawsuit Following Alleged Middle School Assault
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Closter NJ, A Bergen County public school district is facing a major civil lawsuit after parents of a local student accused education officials of negligence, failing to enforce New Jersey’s strict anti-bullying laws, and inadequate supervision during a school-sponsored trip.
The lawsuit, officially initiated in May 2026, names the Closter Board of Education and several school officials as defendants. The legal action stems from a violent physical altercation involving students from Tenakill Middle School that allegedly took place during a class trip to Washington, D.C.
Serious Allegations of Unsupervised Assault on a School Field Trip
According to court documents signed on May 9, 2026, the incident occurred during an out-of-state school trip. The plaintiffs argue that a group of students was left completely uncontrolled, unsupervised, and unmonitored by chaperones at the time of the altercation.
The lawsuit claims that a specific group of students physically assaulted the victim, going so far as to choke the student “to the point of unconsciousness and/or near-unconsciousness.” The physical fight reportedly left the victim with severe bruises, cuts, and abrasions.
However, the legal complaint goes beyond the physical injuries sustained on the trip. The plaintiffs argue that the entire event could—and should—have been prevented by Tenakill Middle School staff.
A History of Alleged HIB and Racially Motivated Harassment
The civil suit alleges that the school district had prior knowledge of ongoing hostility directed at the victim. Court documents state that the trouble began months earlier, when a group of students allegedly targeted the victim with “racially, religiously, and ethnically motivated harassment, hostility, aggression, and abuse.”
While the school district did open a Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB) investigation, the lawsuit fiercely criticizes the school’s response. The plaintiffs accuse the administration of conducting the HIB investigation in an “incompetent, erroneous, and substandard manner,” leaving the student vulnerable to further harm.
Legal Timeline of the Case:
December 2024: Initial allegations of racially and religiously motivated harassment occur at school.
July 18, 2025: A formal Notice of Tort Claim is served to the Closter school district.
May 9, 2026: Lawsuit documents are signed by legal counsel.
May 18, 2026: The civil case is officially initiated in court.
By allegedly failing to implement proper safety protocols and appropriate supervision, the lawsuit claims the school district explicitly violated multiple state mandates, including the New Jersey Anti-Bullying Statute. The family is seeking compensatory damages, medical expenses, interest, and the coverage of court costs.
School Officials Remain Silent on Pending Litigation
When reached for comment, Vincent McHale, the superintendent of Closter Public Schools, stated that administration and board members cannot comment on active, pending litigation. Christopher L. Deininger, the attorney representing the family, also declined to comment publicly on the matter outside of court filings.
This legal battle is not an isolated incident in North Jersey. This lawsuit follows a wave of recent legal actions filed against local districts over bullying allegations, including separate, ongoing civil suits involving Fair Lawn Public Schools and Bergen County Technical High School.
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