MIDDLESEX COUNTY

Allegations of corporal punishment at Perth Amboy school

Suzanne Russell
@SRussellMyCJ
  • The principal and a vice principal at the William C. McGinnis School have been placed on administrative leave
  • The administrative leave relates to allegations of abuse at the school
  • Five teachers also have been placed on administrative leave at the school
  • Parents say students have been made to march in formation around the school

PERTH AMBOY – The principal and a vice principal at William C. McGinnis School have been placed on administrative leave following allegations of corporal punishment at the State Street middle school.

A school district letter was sent home Wednesday to parents stating some temporary changes in staff had been made at the school "while we review an incident that occurred last week."

"Dr. Senovia Robles will be the principal, and Mr. Robert Dahill will be the vice principal for Grade 6 until further notice," the letter, signed by interim Superintendent of Schools Vivian Rodriguez, states.

Robles, who is replacing McGinnis School Principal Myrna Garcia, had been serving as principal of the Perth Amboy Adult School. Dahill is a longtime district supervisor who is replacing Vice Principal Matthew Ferri.

School officials, who asked not to be named, confirmed teachers Julie Holck, Mark Taras, Charlene Jackson, David Klemas and John Riley also have been placed on administrative leave.

All seven district employees have been placed on leave pending an investigation by the state Department of Children and Families Institutional Abuse Investigation Unit, according to multiple sources.

Deputy Police Chief Larry Cattano said his office was made aware of the investigation, which is being handled by Child Protection and Permanency in the Department of Children and Families. He said the state agency will notify the police department if his officers need to get involved as the investigation proceeds.

Parents who contacted MyCentralJersey.com said students recently have been made to march in formation around the school building, with their backpacks or book bags. One student allegedly came home complaining of a backache.

McGinnis School and the city's Samuel E. Shull School have been identified as Focus Schools by the state Department of Education.

Focus Schools comprise about 10 percent of schools with the overall lowest subgroup performance, a graduation rate below 75 percent and the widest gaps in achievement between different subgroups of students. Focus Schools receive targeted and tailored solutions to meet the school's unique needs, according to the state Department of Education website.

The Perth Amboy Board of Education has a regularly scheduled meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday in the auditorium at Perth Amboy High School, 300 Eagle Ave.

Staff Writer Suzanne Russell: 732-565-7335; srussell@mycentraljersey.com