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Bayonne Board of Education

(The Jersey Journal)

A Bayonne High School student is suing the Bayonne Board of Education, claiming he was injured in a bullying incident.

According to the 18-year-old student, who is asking not to be identified, five classmates attacked him and two friends at 26th Street and Kennedy Boulevard, a few blocks from the school, on March 22 at 2:55 p.m., shortly after the end of classes.

The student suffered brain injuries severe enough that he almost died while en route to Jersey City Medical Center, the teen’s attorney said.

At this time, the lawyer said that they do not know how much money they will be seeking in damages, adding that number is linked to his client’s hospital bills.

All five of the student’s attackers, whose ages ranged from 15 to 17, were arrested. Four were charged with riot and one was charged with riot and aggravated assault.

The student said these classmates had bullied him and his friends in the past because he is Egyptian and that this most recent attack occurred after they overheard him and his friends speaking in Arabic.

The student and his lawyer, Timothy Smith of Fairfield, said the school administration is partially responsible for the incident because it was aware of prior bullying incidents.

According to their notice of claim, “The faculty and/or staff at Bayonne High School were aware, and on notice of, the abusive behavior perpetrated on students of Egyptian and/or Arabic ancestry.”

Smith also states in the notice of claim that his client and other students discussed the bullying with school officials and the administration did little to help.

“(These students) met with and discussed the above issues with the principal at Bayonne High School, Richard Baccarella, (and) were advised by Principal Baccarella and/or faulty/staff at Bayonne High School to merely leave school a few minutes early.”

Smith said that they are outraged over the inaction on the part of his client’s teachers and school administrators.

“It’s really astonishing in this day and age that the school administration would not have taken adequate steps to protect (the victim) after what happened,” said Smith “It’s our position that they were aware of the danger that he was exposed to.”

Bayonne Board of Education officials did not return several calls from The Jersey Journal seeking comment.