Hilary Gorzelnik, Hopatcong, New Jersey (suspended June 2012)

Discussion in 'Cougars' started by TMP, Sep 8, 2012.

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    Gorzelnik Hilary.jpg

    Name: Hilary Gorzelnik, Hopatcong, New Jersey

    Age: 31

    School: Hopatcong High School, Hopatcong, New Jersey (Hopatcong Borough Schools)

    Position: Physical education teach & girls' soccer coach

    Victims: "possibly improper emails and text messages with male and female students"

    Email: hgorzelnik@hopatcongschools.org

    Hopatcong Patch: Hopatcong High School Teacher Suspended (June 11 2012)

    A Hopatcong High School physical education teacher was suspended with pay last week as administration investigates whether she violated the district's code of ethics. The Hopatcong Board of Education voted unanimously last week to suspend high school physical education teacher Hilary Gorzelnik with pay. The vote came during a special meeting early Wednesday morning at the administration building. No criminal charges have been filed against Gorzelnik, a 31-year-old girls soccer coach in her seventh year at Hopatcong.

    Tags:
     
    Hilary Gorzelnik, Hopatcong, New Jersey, Hopatcong High School, Hopatcong Borough Schools
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    Hopatcong Patch: What's Next for Suspended Teacher, Hopatcong? (June 13 2012)

    The Hopatcong school district voted unanimously to suspend high school physical education teacher Hilary Gorzelnik with pay last week as it investigates allegations of ethics violations, though no charges have been filed against the 31-year-old. But as the school year comes to a close, what are the Board of Education's options? What's ahead for Gorzelnik, a seven-year teacher and girls soccer coach who, school officials say, has a spotless record?
     
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    ABC Local WABC: High school teacher suspended accused of texting students (June 15 2012)

    A high school teacher in New Jersey has been suspended for allegedly sending inappropriate texts and emails to her students. The teacher, Hilary Gorzelnik has been with the Hopatcong High School for 7 years. "There was enough information for us to be concerned," said Dr. Charles Maranzano. Superintendent Maranzano says it was in everyone's best interest to suspend 31-year-old Hilary Gorzelnik from school with pay. "It's suggested that there may have been inappropriate conversations via the internet and or texts... That has us concerned. We want to know the substance of those conversations," he said. But since her suspension Gorzelnik has deactivated her Facebook account and refuses to hand over copies of texts.

    Star Ledger: In a world of Facebook and Twitter, when should teachers choose to be anti-social? (June 15 2012)

    Hilary Gorzelnik, who teaches physical education, health and driver’s education and has worked at the school for seven years, was suspended by the school board on June 6. Maranzano will not say exactly what Gorzelnik is accused of doing. So far, he said, there is no indication the messages involved drugs or alcohol. He said the teacher was suspended in order to keep her away from students until a determination of her conduct could be made ... [Steve Wollmer, a spokesman for the New Jersey Education Association] said suspending the teacher publicly has already hurt her reputation, even if no charges are ever pressed. In North Carolina, Wollmer said, a teacher who was "similarly railroaded" won $1.2 million in a suit against the district.

    Hopatcong Patch: Report: Suspended Teacher's Messages a Concern: Superintendent worried about teacher's communication with students via emails and text messages (June 15 2012)

    NJ.com reports Hopatcong's school superintendent is worried a high school teacher who was suspended with pay might have had improper communications with students ... Superintendent Dr. Charles Maranazno said he has "very serious concerns" that the physical education teacher could have been involved with possibly improper emails and text messages with male and female students, the report said. Maranzano also told NJ.com that Gorzelnik was suspended to keep her from students until the investigation ends.
     
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    Hopatcong Patch: School Official: Teacher Probe 'Not a Witch Hunt': But Superintendent Dr. Charles Maranzano says Hopatcong would consider any evidence that could aid investigation into suspended high school teacher Hilary Gorzelnik (June 19 2012)

    Hopatcong schools Superintendent Dr. Charles Maranzano said Monday the district would consider any evidence from the public that could help the investigation into the suspended high school teacher alleged to have violated the district's code of ethics. But he also said the district doesn't have it out for 31-year-old physical education teacher Hilary Gorzelnik, who was suspended with pay June 6. "If someone were to send it to us, we would embrace any bit of evidence," Maranzano said. "But let's also say this is not a witch hunt."

    Go out on a limb often, Superintendent? Ever sawed off a branch while you're sitting on it?
     
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    Hopatcong Patch: Suspended Hopatcong Teacher Probe Continues (July 6 2012)

    A month after suspending Hopatcong High School physical education teacher Hilary Gorzelnik, the district is still investigating accusations the 31-year-old might have had inappropriate communications with students, Superintendent Dr. Charles Maranzano said.
    "These things take time," Maranznao said. "Right now, it's in legal hands. I don't have anything to report if that's what you're asking. There's nothing at this point we can share now."

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    You might consider sending out for a ladder, Superintendent.
     
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    Hopatcong Patch: Suspended Teacher's Coaching Spot Filled: Second grade teacher slated to coach girls soccer team as suspension continues (Sept 1 2012)

    Second grade teacher Kathleen Brennan will be the Hopatcong High School girls soccer coach this season, taking the place of suspended physical education teacher Hilary Gorzelnik. When asked about the status of Gorzelnik in the district, Superintendent Dr. Charles Maranzano said the matter is still in the legal department and could take a while to resolve. Athletic Director Tom Vara said he has brought in Brennan to take over as girls soccer coach at this time. “As of right now, the issue of Hilary Gorzelnik is in the superintendent’s office, Vara said. "There are conversations going on that we’re not privy to. I was told to bring on a new soccer coach at this point. They’re still working out whatever they need to work out. It could be settled tomorrow or five years from now."
     
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    Star Ledger: Hopatcong teacher remains suspended over suspected inappropriate e-mails (Sept 4 2012)

    A Hopatcong High School gym teacher, suspended in June based on suspicions she may have had “improper” internet communications with students, remains suspended and won’t be teaching or coaching when the school year starts on Thursday, school officials said today ... When Gorzelnik was suspended in June, Maranzano said he had “very serious concerns” about possibly inappropriate text messages and e-mails involving both male and female students and the teacher. “There have been a lot of rumors flying around the community,” Maranzano said at the time, adding that he had to act “to protect the interests of students.” He declined to say exactly what Gorzelnik was suspected of doing, but asked in June that students provide electronic communication records.
     
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    Star Ledger: Suspended Hopatcong teacher will return to job 'eventually,' attorney says (Sept 5 2012)

    A Hopatcong High School teacher, suspended over possibly inappropriate internet communications with students, will return to her job “eventually,” her attorney predicted today ... “We’re confident she’s going to be vindicated,” said her personal attorney, William Coy Jr. “We feel that what’s been going on with her has been very unfair.” Coy said the allegations against Gorzelnik are “very vague.” “I don’t have any faith in what the school board is doing or what the superintendent is doing,” he added, declining to be more specific.

    Hopatcong Patch: Suspended Teacher's Attorney Claims She'll Return (Sept 5 2012)

    According to her attorney, Hilary Gorzelnik will eventually return to her job as a physical education teacher at Hopatcong High School, a report said ... Superintendent Dr. Charles Maranzano has said he recommended the suspension to the school board. Maranzano has also said Gorzelnik was suspended to keep her away from students until the end of the investigation, though he hasn't said what she's been accused of doing. Gorzelnik, a seventh-year teacher in the district, has received legal representation from the NJEA in addition to her personal attorney, Coy. New Jersey Education Association Director of Communications Steve Wollmer said in June the district had little hard evidence of any wrongdoing by Gorzelnik and that it has "failed to uncover anything other than rumors." "No factual evidence has turned up" against Gorzelnik, who has a "spotless reputation," Wolmer said in June.