Ex-Teacher Arrested On Berlin School Grounds After Harassing Staff, Students: PD

BERLIN, NJ — A former educator at the Berlin Community School was arrested after writing concerning online messages, harassing a school staff member at their home and trespassing onto school grounds, according to Berlin police.

On Monday morning, Berlin Community School placed Scott Nalick on administrative leave. He was taken into custody that evening following a series of harassing incidents, authorities said.

Nalick has been placed in the Camden County Correctional Facility with a future detention hearing. The Berlin Police Department will increase its presence at the school for the foreseeable future, said Chief Michael Scheer.

After Nalick was placed on leave, a school resource officer escorted him off of school property. Nalick's key fob, ID and his access to the school network were deactivated.

Later that day, Nalick created several "concerning" social media posts and online messages directed toward students, parents and staff, authorities said. As a result, Evesham police conducted a well-being check at his Marlton home.

Nalick was advised to cease all contact with Berlin Community School, including staff, students and associates.

Later that evening, Nalick drove to the home of a school employee, who lives outside of Berlin, police said. He engaged in harassing conduct before leaving the scene, according to Scheer.

After hearing about the incident at an employee's home, police conducted extra patrols around the school in case Nalick showed up. When he did, he was arrested.

Nalick, 38, was charged with altering government computer documents (second-degree), cyber harassment (fourth-degree), criminal trespass (fourth-degree) and harassment (disorderly persons offense).

Out of caution, police have increased their patrols at Berlin Community School during all school hours, including arrival and dismissal times. The facility will also have an additional school resource officer for the time being.

"The Berlin School Resource officers have been included in this investigation from the onset and have been strategically assigned with their duties inside the school," Scheer said.

Nalick taught at Berlin Community School and also coached wrestling, according to records from the Berlin Borough School District. It's unclear which grades he taught at the school, which serves Pre-K through eighth grade, or how long he worked for the district.

On Monday, Scheer and District Superintendent Dr. Brenda Harring informed parents and staff that Nalick was in custody.

"Please be assured that the safety of all students, parents, staff and visitors at Berlin Community School is of paramount importance to both the Police Department and the School Administration," the joint letter said.