NJ Principal Grabbed Student, Pushed Her Against Wall: Complaint

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — A South Orange-Maplewood School District principal arrested this week for assaulting a student grabbed her and pushed her against a wall last year, according to a criminal complaint.

Frank Sanchez, principal of Columbia High School, turned himself in to authorities Monday and was charged with second-degree endangering the welfare of a child and simple assault, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office confirmed to Patch earlier this week.

According to the criminal complaint obtained by Patch, the school district reported the March 2023 incident to police in December after acting South Orange-Maplewood Superintendent Kevin Gilbert filed an affirmative action report and hired an outside investigator to look into the alleged assault.

According to the complaint, Sanchez made physical contact with a Black female Columbia High School student that included “pushing, shoving or grabbing." Video cited in the complaint said Sanchez grabbed her arm twice and pulled her toward a staircase. The pair also fell through a door as Sanchez held her against a wall.

In addition to the video, another student who witnessed the incident told investigators he saw Sanchez "put his hands on (the girl) for no reason," according to the complaint.

Following the incident, the girl told prosecutors the contact left her with bruising, the complaint stated.

Earlier this week, local advocacy group Black Parents Workshop confirmed in a social media post that the charges against Sanchez stemmed from an incident involving a female student at Columbia High School. The group is providing legal counseling for the teenager.

"The history of abuse of Black children in this school district is inconceivable," Black Parents Workshop founder Walter Fields said in a statement shared on social media. "We have had a Black child put in a closet as punishment, one held by the ankles, students sexually assaulted by a teacher and students victimized by police brutality."

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In an email sent to students, staff, and families earlier this week, Gilbert said he was aware of the allegations against Sanchez.

"I am deeply saddened by these reports," Gilbert said in the email. "But no matter what our feelings may be at this time, my focus — and the focus of my colleagues on the administration — must be on meeting the needs of Columbia High School students, their families and staff."
Gilbert said the district was providing counselors to students who needed them.

Sanchez has been on administrative leave since early January, according to a separate NJ.com report.

Sanchez appeared in court Tuesday, where he pleaded not guilty to the charges, CBS New York reported.

During his appearance, the girl's lawyer said she was "minding her own business" when Sanchez confronted her, according to CBS New York.

"This student was not only suspended by Mr. Sanchez but she was actually exiled from the school district and sent to another school district to go to school," James Davis III said.

Sanchez was released from police custody pending his next court appearance on June 14.