Muslim Student Harassed By Gym Teacher, Lawsuit Alleges

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — A Bridgewater-Raritan Regional High School(BRHS) graduate has filed a lawsuit against the district alleging she was "harassed based on her national origin, religious beliefs, and skin color" by her former gym teacher.

Jana Gadalla, who is Egyptian, dark skinned and is a Muslim, filed the lawsuit in Somerset County Superior Court in June against retired BRHS gym teacher Kathie DeBonis, BRHS Principal Vincent DelPriore, and the Board of Education.

On one occasion, when Gadalla injured her ear which caused bleeding and asked DeBonis to go to the nurse DeBonis allegedly became annoyed and said,"is it really necessary to go now."

The nurse told Gadalla she could not participate in gym and was required to hold an ice pack to her ear, according to the lawsuit.

After hearing the news, DeBonis, threatened Gadalla's grade, stating that if she did not play gym DeBonis would deduct points from her overall grade, according to the lawsuit.

On another occasion, DeBonis allegedly said to Gadalla, "This is America; by the time you are 16 you will probably be in jail anyway."

During Ramadan, which requires fasting by Muslims, Gadalla got permission not to run during gym class.

"DeBonis sarcastically questioned the plaintiff as to why she was fasting," according to the lawsuit. "[DeBonis] made comments such as, 'If I were you, I would just go drink alcohol,' and 'Do you think you’re going to go to hell or something?'."

The lawsuit alleges DeBonis' remarks were offensive and caused the plaintiff great anxiety, depression and stress.

Additionally, on another occasion, DeBonis allegedly yelled at Gadalla, calling her obese when she is thin. And then on another occasion, DeBonis assigned Gadalla a three-page paper to write regarding obesity before allowing her to use the restroom, according to the lawsuit.

"DeBonis later remarked, 'It's good that you're fasting during Ramadan; maybe you will lose some weight'," according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit claims Gadalla's mom met with BRHS Principal DelPriore to talk about DeBonis' behaviour.

DelPriore "apologized for defendant DeBonis’s discriminatory conduct, but said that he could not fire her," according to the lawsuit.

Gadalla remained in DeBonis' class "despite the fact that multiple students corroborated the plaintiff’s complaints," according to the lawsuit.

The BOE later moved DeBonis to a new classroom, but the lawsuit said the harassment continued. And Gadalla "was forced to interact with defendant DeBonis for the remainder of her high school education."

"As a consequence of the hostile environment created and fostered, the plaintiff has suffered anxiety, humiliation and financial loss," according to the lawsuit.

Gadalla is seeking compensatory damages, punitive damages, and attorneys’ fees and costs.

The Bridgewater-Raritan School District said Superintendent Robert Beers could not be reached for comment.

See the lawsuit below:

JANA GADALLA v. BRIDGEWATER-RARITAN REGIONAL : SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF : EDUCATION, VINCENT DELPRIORE : CO... by Alexis Tarrazi

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