Hillhouse Assistant Principal On Leave, Under Investigation

By Laura Glesby, New Haven Independent

NEW HAVEN, CT — The New Haven Police Department and the state Department of Children and Families (DCF) are investigating Hillhouse Assistant Principal Daniel Bonet, who was placed on administrative leave on May 26.

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Public officials did not offer details about the allegations that prompted the inquiry, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation.

This is not the first time Bonet has been placed on leave while helming a New Haven public school. In January 2019, he was placed on temporary leave from his role as principal of John C. Daniels School due to allegations of staff harassment and non-compliance with DCF reporting mandates, allegations he denied.

When Bonet was cleared to return to work, he was transferred to the assistant principal role at Hillhouse in August 2019.

In response to a question from the Independent, NHPS Spokesperson Justin Harmon wrote in a statement on Wednesday that "an administrator at Hillhouse High School was put on leave on May 26 after an allegation came to light that required investigation by the Department of Children and Families and the New Haven Police Department."

"We cannot comment on the nature of the allegation," Harmon wrote, "because the police investigation is ongoing. The administrative position will be filled by an interim appointment."

The school district had not previously announced Bonet's leave.

Asked for a comment by phone, Bonet said, "I think I want to talk to my lawyer. I am waiting on the situation."

His lawyer, Don Cretella, wrote in an email that "no formal charges have been filed against him at this time and we are unaware of the extent of the allegations."

"Mr. Bonet has been cooperative with the New Haven Police Department's investigation," wrote Cretella. "He vehemently denies any improprieties and waits to see if any charges are filed."

According to Police Chief David Zannelli, "The investigation is still open, but it is coming to an end pretty soon."

The New Haven Independent is a not-for-profit public-interest daily news site founded in 2005.