A Bergen County mother is suing the Ho-Ho-Kus School District and its administrators, claiming systemic failure to address severe bullying based on disability, perceived disability, and gender
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Ho-Ho-Kus NJ, a serious legal challenge has been brought against the Ho-Ho-Kus School District in Bergen County, New Jersey, alleging that school officials, including the former Superintendent and Principal, repeatedly ignored reports of harassment, intimidation, and bullying (HIB) directed at a young student.
The lawsuit, filed by the parent of the student, paints a troubling picture of a school environment that allegedly became “hostile” due to inaction by administrators and counselors.
The Core Allegations: Bullying and Disability Discrimination
The legal complaint states the bullying began in the student’s fourth-grade year (September 2022) and was allegedly motivated by the girl’s “disability and/or perceived disability and/or gender and/or perceived gender.”
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Targeted Harassment: The student was reportedly subjected to cruel verbal attacks, being called “weird,” “mean,” and likened to a “pig.”
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Diagnosed Conditions: The student, who was diagnosed with Anxiety in third grade, later developed an Individualized Education Program (IEP) and was diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
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IEP Stigma: In sixth grade, the bullying intensified, with classmates allegedly targeting her specifically for having an IEP and requiring school accommodations. One student reportedly mocked her OCD behaviors, while others called her “the Titanic.”
Systemic Failure to Investigate HIB
The lawsuit focuses heavily on the alleged failure of school staff to comply with New Jersey’s stringent anti-bullying laws. The parent claims that repeated reports of harassment were either ignored or inadequately addressed.
Named in the suit are several key personnel, including former Superintendent Diane Mardy, Principal Martha Walsh, Assistant Principal Katie McLean, and counselors Jannette DiPasquale and Tara Wong.
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Ignored Reports: The mother allegedly emailed counselor DiPasquale about the bullying, but no official Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB) investigation was initiated.
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Continued Distress: The lack of action reportedly led to more severe and prolonged bullying. The student became “very anxious,” “very upset” about school, and was “becoming physically ill.”
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Violation of Law: The lawsuit explicitly states that the district’s failure to conduct a proper HIB investigation constitutes a violation of the state’s Bullying Bill of Rights Act and the Law Against Discrimination.
The Outcome: Withdrawal from Ho-Ho-Kus Schools
After continued and unaddressed harassment throughout late 2023, the girl’s mother informed school leadership in March that her daughter would no longer be attending the Ho-Ho-Kus Public School.
The lawsuit argues that the repeated failure by district and school officials to provide a “safe and civil environment” ultimately created a “hostile educational environment” that forced the student out of the district.
Superintendent Linda Bovino-Romeo issued a statement acknowledging the awareness of the lawsuit, but noted the district has not yet been formally served. She emphasized that the district “takes all allegations of harassment, intimidation and bullying very seriously,” while declining to comment on pending litigation.
This case brings renewed attention to the critical obligation of school districts to uphold state laws designed to protect vulnerable students and prevent bullying within their walls.
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Horrible!