Photos
West Orange High School Teacher Under Investigation for Alleged Sexual Misconduct with a Student
Friday, August 31, 2012 • 4:18pm
WEST ORANGE, NJ -(Updated) A West Orange High School English teacher is under investigation for alleged sexual misconduct with a West Orange student. Ms. DePalo's car was impounded as part of the investigation. CBS News camera crews were at West Orange High School this afternoon, questioning students about the alleged misconduct. Although a phone call at 4:30 pm to Katherine Carter, spokesperson for the Essex County Prosecutor's office, did not confirm that an arrest had been made, CBS news reported at 5:30 pm that Ms. DePalo had just been arrested.
Interim Superintendent James O'Neill released a statement, saying,
"The district has taken strong action by suspending the employee immediately and indefinitely. The school district will cooperate with the prosecutor's office in every way."
Students and former students expressed their surprise at the allegations, saying they would wait and see what came of the charges. Counselors will be available at the high school for students.
Ms. DePalo was named Essex County Teacher of the Year in 2011.
