Originally Published on 9/21, Updated 9/26
-Columbia High School teacher Nicole Dufault appeared in court on Friday with her attorney to request a bail reduction. The Essex County Prosecutor's Office alleges that Dufault had sex with five male students. Her request was denied. According to NJ.com, the assistant prosecutor told the judge that there were two complaints made against Dufault during the 2013-14 school year. The assistant prosecutor also told the judge that there is a video of Dufault allegedly having sex with one of the victims. PlaceNJ.com reported that students at Columbia High School allegedly viewed the video in school the day her arrest was announced.
-South Orange Maplewood School District Acting Superintendent James Memoli and Columbia High School Principal Elizabeth Aaron issued the below letter to community members on Sunday evening regarding the arrest of CHS teacher Nicole Dufault on sexual assault charges.
-"She has a stellar reputation as a teacher", said Timothy Smith, Dufault's attorney, in an email to Essex County Place, adding that "she is devastated by these allegations".
A sign was posted on Monday, September 29, a sign posted outside of Dufault's classroom, B238, telling students in each of Dufault's classes to report to other classrooms in the building.
Hannah Edelman, the Columbia High School representative to the South Orange Maplewood Education Association union, declined requests for comment.
The letter is as follows:
"Dear Members of the SOMSD Community:
Our primary concern continues to be the health, safety and well-being of all of our students, staff, and families. As a result of the teacher arrest last week at Columbia High School, we are informing you of what we are doing in response, and offering you some resources.
Rumors will always occur, and we will not be able to comment on the allegations, investigations, or any possible evidence.
What we are doing in school and in the district:
-We are fully cooperating with the prosecutor’s office.
-We are providing ongoing access to school and outside supports – including the CHS administrative team, guidance counselors, student assistance counselors, school social workers, teachers, and our employee assistance program, CONCERN.
-We are keeping lines of communication open between parents, students, teachers, administrators, guidance staff, counselors, and social workers.
-We are addressing individual concerns as they arise. We are focusing on the essential work of teaching and learning, building a sense of community, and deeply engaging students in developing their academic and extracurricular talents.
What you can do at home:
-Talk to your child. The nature of the charges are the most difficult that parents and children would ever have to discuss together. We therefore have compiled some resources on the attached page to help you support your child.
-If your child is showing signs of stress in reaction to the events or the investigation, please reach out to his or her guidance counselor or a member of the administrative team.
-If your child has information that might be helpful to the investigation, please reach out to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit at 973-753-1130.
We believe deeply in our mission to provide our students with a nurturing, healthy environment where they can do the important work of learning and developing as students, athletes, artists, and leaders. We ask that members of the larger community and the news media respect the privacy of minors and allow us as a school and a community to support our children by maintaining our focus on teaching and learning and all that that entails. Thank you for the incredible outpouring of support and partnership in overcoming this challenge and building an even stronger Columbia High School community."
This story will be updated.
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The story on the arrest of teacher Nicole Dufault was reported first on PlaceNJ.com.