NEWS 12 NEW JERSEY REPORTED THAT A CEILING PARTIALLY COLLAPSED AT LAKE DRIVE SCHOOL IN MOUNTAIN LAKES LATE TUESDAY MORNING, WHICH PROMPTED EVACUATION AND TEMPORARILY DISPLACING STUDENTS. ACCORDING TO BRAD SIEGEL, SUPERINTENDENT OF THE MOUNTAIN LAKES SCHOOL DISTRICT, A PORTION OF THE SECOND-FLOOR MAIN HALLWAY CEILING COLLAPSED AROUND 11:30 AM. FIRST RESPONDERS EVACUATED STUDENTS AND STAFF TO A DESIGNATED EMERGENCY RELOCATION SITE. SIEGEL SAID THAT STARTING WEDNESDAY, LAKE DRIVE STUDENTS WERE TEMPORARILY RELOCATED TO OTHER SCHOOLS WITHIN THE DISTRICT WHILE OFFICIALS ASSESSED THE DAMAGE. THE CAUSE OF THE COLLAPSE AND THE FULL EXTENT OF THE DAMAGE REMAIN UNDER INVESTIGATION, AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. SCHOOL OFFICIALS HAVE NOT PROVIDED A TIMELINE FOR STUDENTS AND STAFF TO RETURN TO THE BUILDING.
NORTHJERSEY.COM REPORTED A RAMSEY FAMILY IS FILING A LAWSUIT AGAINST THE DISTRICT, BOARD OF EDUCATION, AND SEVERAL STUDENTS AND STAFF, ALLEGING THE SCHOOL FAILED TO TAKE ACTION WHEN THEIR SON WAS EXPERIENCING BULLYING. THE LAWSUIT, FILED IN STATE SUPERIOR COURT IN BERGEN COUNTY ON OCT. 29, SAYS CLASSMATES SPENT YEARS SPREADING RUMORS THAT THE MALE STUDENT WAS GAY, WANTED TO BECOME A SCHOOL SHOOTER AND HAD A HIT LIST OF STUDENTS. THE SUIT SAYS THE DISTRICT AND BOARD FAILED TO TAKE ANY ACTION AND INSTEAD TREATED THE BOY AS IF HE WERE DANGEROUS. SUPERINTENDENT ANDREW MATTEO SAID THE DISTRICT DOES NOT COMMENT ON PENDING LITIGATION. THE HARASSMENT BEGAN IN JANUARY 2022, WHILE THE STUDENT WAS STILL IN MIDDLE SCHOOL, WHERE HIS PARENTS REACHED OUT TO THE SCHOOL MULTIPLE TIMES, BUT NOTHING WAS DONE. IN ADDITION, THE STUDENT DEFENDANTS CREATED AN ANONYMOUS TIKTOK ACCOUNT, WHICH PROMOTED THE BULLYING. THE LAWSUIT CLAIMS THAT WHEN THE STUDENTS MOTHER REACHED OUT TO THE VICE PRINCIPAL OF THE MIDDLE SCHOOL, CHRISTINE DAVIS, ADMINISTRATORS REPORTED THE STUDENT TO THE POLICE. PHYSICAL ALTERATIONS WITH OTHER STUDENTS CONTUNITED IN 2024, 2025, AND 2026, WHERE THE LAWSUIT SAYS NUMEROUS OFFICIALS WERE PRESENT DURING THESE INCIDENTS, BUT DID NOTHING. THE COMPLAINT SAYS THE STUDENT SUFFERED SERIOUS AND PERMANENT PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL INJURIES. THE SUIT ACCUSES THE DEFENDANTS OF A VARIETY OF CHARGES, SOME BEING NEGLIGENCE, INTENTIONAL INFLICTION OF EMOTIONAL DISTRESS, DEFAMATION AND VIOLATING THE STATE LAW AGAINST DISCRIMINATION, AMONG OTHER CHARGES. THE FAMILY IS SEEKING DAMAGES, ATTORNEYS' FEES AND COSTS OF THE SUIT.