Test Monitor Charged in Hammond HS Student Assault

An Elkridge man has been charged with assault in connection with an incident that reportedly happened last week at Hammond High School in Columbia.

Joseph Pagnotta, 47, of the 6500 block of Deep Run Parkway, is charged with second-degree assault and disturbing school operations, according to online court records.

Pagnotta is accused of shoving a student after a verbal altercation turned physical while students were taking an exam for those interested in joining the military on Oct. 22, according to WBAL. The TV station obtained a student’s cell phone video that showed what transpired in the Hammond cafeteria, where Pagnotta—who is neither a school system employee nor military member—was serving as a proctor, monitoring the exam.

>>Read the full WBAL story and see the video here.<<

As a result of police investigation, Pagnotta was charged. The 17-year-old student was not charged, Howard County Police Department spokeswoman Sherry Llewellyn told Patch.

Pagnotta is scheduled to appear Jan. 6 in the Howard County District Court.

The incident at Hammond High School was one of a handful of violent episodes at Baltimore metro area schools this month.

• A 17-year-old student was charged with assault after an altercation involving a Baltimore City teacher in mid-October. A verbal argument between the two at Carver Vocational High School led to the student pushing chairs and throwing a book at the teacher, who was placed on administrative leave, according to WJZ. The teacher was treated for injuries, Fox 45 reported.
• Last week seven students between 16 and 19 years of age were charged after cafeteria fights broke out at Overlea High School in Baltimore County, where police used pepper spray to subdue the students. Police said three students who were not involved in the fights were taken to the hospital.

Photo Credit: Howard County Public School System.