the staff of the Ridgewood blog
HACKENSACK, NJ — A former longtime employee of the Hackensack Public School District has filed a lawsuit against the Board of Education and several high-ranking administrators, alleging age discrimination, disability discrimination, and workplace retaliation.
The plaintiff, Stacey Montalto, 54, served in the district for over a decade and was the only certified “Handle with Care” trainer—responsible for implementing trauma-informed support for children in crisis. Despite her specialized role and tenure, Montalto claims she was mistreated, reassigned unfairly, and ultimately forced to resign following a string of alleged discriminatory incidents.
📋 Allegations in the Lawsuit
The civil suit names multiple district officials, including:
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Former Superintendent Robert Sanchez
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Assistant Superintendent Rosemary Marks
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Director of Special Services Darius Pemberton
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Supervisor Kristen Bader
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Principals Donna Petrin-Wall and Joy Dorsey-Whiting
Montalto alleges that the discrimination began after she suffered a serious work-related knee injury in 2018, which led to surgery and ongoing mobility limitations. Upon returning to light-duty work in 2019, she was reassigned to multiple buildings, which she viewed as a demotion.
⚖️ Claims of Retaliation and Harassment
According to the lawsuit:
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After questioning certain behavior practices at one of the schools, she was removed from that site.
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When she raised concerns, Director Pemberton allegedly made demeaning remarks about her ability to wear high heels and her lack of middle school teaching experience.
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In March 2020, she reinjured her knee after being assigned to a physically demanding case, despite asking for accommodations.
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In 2023, she was assigned to a pre-K classroom without a permanent teacher—despite having no classroom teaching experience—allegedly as retaliation.
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She was laughed at by supervisors when she questioned if the assignment was temporary.
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She claims her paid medical leave was denied, forcing her into unpaid status before she was coerced into resignation in July 2023.
🧠 Mental Health Impact
Montalto says the pattern of treatment caused her anxiety and depression, and she was formally diagnosed with both. Her medical leave request was denied, further compounding the emotional distress, according to the lawsuit.
The suit also alleges a broader culture of mistreatment targeting female employees over 50 in the Hackensack district, claiming others had been intimidated or bullied into resigning.
🏛️ Legal Proceedings & Reactions
Attorney Daryl Kipnis, representing Montalto, has not publicly commented on the case. Jason Nunnermacker, attorney for the Hackensack Board of Education, stated that the district does not comment on active litigation.
The case will now move through the courts, with observers closely watching how it could impact employee rights, district policies, and the treatment of disabled or older workers in New Jersey’s public education system.
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