HAMILTON—A Hamilton middle school principal has been charged with sexual assault in relation to an incident with a female student.

Damir (Dan) Ivankovic, a 54-year-old principal at Ryerson Elementary School, is facing charges of sexual assault and sexual interference. He was arrested Tuesday and released on a promise to appear in court Sept. 3.

Ivankovic has been assigned to home duty by the Hamilton Wentworth District School Board since Jan. 9, after police notified the board about the investigation which began the day before.

Hamilton police say the alleged incident took place during the 2017 school year and involved a female student at Ryerson — a middle school with students in grades 6 to 8.

Police are concerned there may be more victims.

In a statement the board said its community is “shocked and saddened to learn that the Hamilton Police Service has charged an employee and current principal at Ryerson Elementary School.”

Ivankovic has worked for the school board since 2003 and had been at Ryerson since September 2014. Before working at Ryerson, Ivankovic worked as the principal of Rosedale Elementary School until 2007 and Viscount Montgomery Elementary School.

The board said staff are co-operating police during their investigation.

“The safety and well-being of every student is of utmost importance,” it said.

Anyone with information for police is asked to call Acting Det.-Sgt. Robert Lejeune at 905-540-6375.

To remain anonymous contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or crimestoppershamilton.com.

Parents and community members with questions and concerns can contact the school board at 905-527-5092 or email info@hwdsb.on.ca.

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