Hillsdale Teacher Abuse Lawsuit Filed Against Board of Education
A former Hillsdale student has filed a lawsuit alleging he was sexually abused by second-grade teacher Howard Schultz at George White Elementary School between 1981 and 1982. The case, brought in Bergen County Superior Court, names the Hillsdale Board of Education and the school as defendants, claiming they failed to protect the child and allowed the abuse to happen.
Details of the Allegations
The plaintiff, identified in court records only by initials, says he was around 7 or 8 years old at the time of the abuse. Schultz — now deceased — allegedly groomed the child by keeping him after class under the pretense of chores like cleaning blackboards.
According to the lawsuit, the abuse began with “touching and massaging” and escalated into more severe misconduct. The plaintiff is seeking both compensatory and punitive damages, arguing that the district had a legal duty to prevent sexual abuse and harassment of students.
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Not the First Case Against Hillsdale Schools
This lawsuit is not the first to accuse Schultz and the Hillsdale school system of failing to protect students. In 2021, another former student alleged that Schultz had abused him and another boy during the same time period. That case went to trial last year and ended in a $3 million dollar settlement while the jury was deliberating.
Both survivors were praised for their courage in coming forward decades after the abuse occurred. Their actions shed light on the serious responsibility schools have to protect children in their care.
Schools’ Duty to Safeguard Students
Teachers and schools hold a position of trust in society. Parents rely on them to provide a safe environment where children can learn and grow. When schools fail in this responsibility, the impact on survivors can last a lifetime.
“Schools are entrusted with safeguarding children. When they fail in that duty, the consequences can last a lifetime,” said Scott G. Leonard, Esq., founding partner of Leonard Legal Group. “We are committed to holding institutions accountable and giving survivors the chance to seek justice—even decades later.”
Institutions — whether public schools, private schools, churches, or youth organizations — have a legal and moral duty to:
- Properly screen and train staff.
- Supervise classrooms and after-school activities.
- Respond immediately to reports of misconduct.
- Remove individuals who pose a risk to children.
When these safeguards are ignored, schools can and should be held accountable
Survivors’ Rights Under New Jersey Law
This case was filed under New Jersey’s Child Victims Act, a law signed in 2019 that expanded the statute of limitations for survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Survivors may now file claims until age 55, or within seven years of recognizing the trauma.
The law acknowledges that many survivors are unable to speak up for years, or even decades. Importantly, it allows justice to move forward even long after the abuse occurred.
At Leonard Legal Group, we believe justice delayed is not always justice denied. Survivors who come forward later in life still have a powerful opportunity to hold abusers and institutions accountable.
Moving Forward
Leonard Legal Group is encouraging any former George White Elementary School students with information about Schultz to come forward confidentially. Speaking up not only supports individual cases but also helps protect future generations of children.
For more than 29 years, Leonard Legal Group has represented survivors of sexual abuse across New Jersey. We provide compassionate, confidential guidance and aggressive legal representation to ensure survivors' voices are heard.