A lawsuit has been filed against a former special education teacher in the Palisades Park school district, alleging she recorded a demeaning video of a developmentally disabled student and posted it to social media. The legal action, which also names the school district and other officials as defendants, claims the incident caused severe emotional distress to the child.
The complaint was filed in Bergen County by the mother of the student, who was an 8-year-old third-grader at Lindbergh Elementary School at the time of the alleged event in November 2022. The family is seeking damages for harassment, discrimination, and invasion of privacy.
Key Takeaways
- A former special education teacher, Jaclyn Vanore, is accused of filming a demeaning video of an 8-year-old disabled student.
- The lawsuit alleges Vanore posted the video to her personal Facebook and Instagram accounts in November 2022.
- The student's family was reportedly unaware of the video's existence for nearly a year, until September 2023.
- The child has since left the district and is undergoing weekly counseling for anxiety, panic attacks, and depression, according to the suit.
- The Palisades Park school district, the school principal, and another teacher are also named as defendants.
Details of the Alleged Incident
The lawsuit centers on a video recorded by then-teacher Jaclyn Vanore using her personal cell phone inside a classroom. According to the court filing, Vanore instructed the 8-year-old girl, who has language impairments, to say the letters and number "4QK."
When spoken by the child, the phrase allegedly sounded like a homophobic slur. The lawsuit claims this was done for the purpose of ridicule and public amusement. Following the recording, Vanore is accused of posting the video to her personal social media profiles on Facebook and Instagram.
The family remained unaware of the video for almost a year. The complaint states the video circulated within the community during that time, being passed around for the entertainment of others without the family's knowledge or consent.
Timeline of Events
- November 2022: The video is allegedly recorded by Jaclyn Vanore and posted to social media.
- September 26, 2023: The video is played during a school meeting, bringing it to the family's attention.
- 2024: Jaclyn Vanore resigns from her position with the Palisades Park school district.
Discovery and Aftermath
The existence of the video was revealed to the family during a school meeting on September 26, 2023. The lawsuit describes a moment where the video was displayed by recording a device as it played content from another screen. This suggests, according to the filing, that the video had been widely shared and its chain of custody was not disclosed to the student's family.
The complaint details the profound impact the incident has had on the young girl. She has since been withdrawn from the Palisades Park school district and now resides in Teaneck. The lawsuit states she suffers from a range of emotional and psychological issues, including anxiety, panic attacks, nightmares, and depression.
Furthermore, the legal documents assert that the trauma has created significant setbacks for her. The girl now reportedly experiences nervousness, frustration, anger, and trust issues, making it more difficult for her to overcome her existing learning disabilities and language impairments. She is currently attending weekly counseling sessions to address the emotional harm.
The Role of Schools in Protecting Vulnerable Students
Schools have a legal and ethical duty to provide a safe and non-discriminatory environment for all students, particularly those with disabilities. Federal laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) mandate protections against harassment and discrimination. This lawsuit tests the responsibility of a district when an educator allegedly uses their position of trust to harm a vulnerable child.
Legal Action and Response
The lawsuit names multiple defendants in addition to Jaclyn Vanore. The Palisades Park school district, the principal of Lindbergh Elementary School, and another teacher are included in the complaint, which alleges a failure to protect the student and a breach of privacy.
Jaclyn Vanore, a graduate of Palisades Park High School and a former softball coach at Cresskill High School, resigned from the district in 2024. When contacted for comment, Vanore directed all questions to her attorney, Jeffrey A. Bronster. Mr. Bronster declined to comment on the pending litigation.
Palisades Park Superintendent Carl Albano also stated that the district does not comment on pending legal matters. The lack of public statements from the defendants leaves the allegations outlined in the lawsuit as the primary source of information regarding the incident.
The case, filed in the Superior Court of Bergen County, will now proceed through the legal system. The family's lawsuit seeks not only financial compensation for the damages suffered but also accountability for the actions that led to the alleged public humiliation of a young, vulnerable student.