Lenox Hill Elementary Teacher Todd Lewis Agrees to Permanently Relinquish Certificates Amid Investigation
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
POMPTON LAKES, NJ—A former elementary school teacher at Lenox Hill Elementary School in Pompton Lakes, who was accused of using masking tape to secure a student’s head to his desk, has permanently forfeited his right to teach in New Jersey.
Todd Lewis voluntarily agreed to relinquish both of his teaching certificates to the New Jersey State Board of Examiners in August 2025, effectively ending his career in the state’s public school system.
The Incident and The Investigation
The serious accusations against Lewis and a teacher’s aide, Sallyann Scala, first surfaced in late 2024.
- The Report: In October 2024, Pompton Lakes police received a report that a 9-year-old student had been secured to his desk with masking tape for nearly an hour by Lewis.
- Aide’s Role: Teacher’s aide Sallyann Scala was allegedly present in the classroom during the incident and failed to intervene, according to the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office.
- Formal Action: Charges were filed against both Lewis and Scala in December 2024.
Lewis, who obtained his standard teaching certificate in 2005, was required to return his physical paper certificates to the State Board of Examiners within 30 days of the board’s August decision.
Protecting Students: What This Means for School Integrity
While the formal legal proceedings have moved forward, the voluntary surrender of Lewis’s teaching license ensures he can no longer be employed as a teacher in New Jersey. The state’s quick action in accepting the surrender underscores the severity with which the Board of Examiners treats allegations of student safety violations and professional misconduct.
The incident has raised critical questions for the Pompton Lakes School District about classroom supervision and protocols for reporting abuse or neglect, ensuring that all staff members are held accountable for maintaining a safe and supportive learning environment.
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maybe the kid deserved it ?
U must be kidding
Taping a 9 yr old’s head to the desk!!
Teacher sb in jail
If the kid’s behavior is that bad, send him to the principal.