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NJ Teacher Sues Pinelands Schools Over Alleged 'Pedophile Party' Staff Gatherings

The district rejects the allegations as baseless, leaving the case to proceed in Ocean County Superior Court.

Overview

  • The complaint by former special-education teacher Melissa Pomphrey alleges multiple 2023 staff parties themed 'dress as your favorite pedophile.'
  • The suit claims administrators failed to act on her reports and conducted a 'sham' investigation.
  • Pomphrey alleges a paraprofessional had an inappropriate relationship with an underage student and exposed her to a student described as sexually violent toward females.
  • After raising concerns, Pomphrey says she was reassigned from the high school to a middle-school class considered a demotion, later took unpaid disability leave, and was told in May 2025 her contract would not be renewed.
  • The lawsuit names the district and several staff members as defendants, the district denies the claims as baseless, and no trial date has been set.