Mental Health Evaluation Ordered For West Morris Regional Staffer

MENDHAM, NJ — A staff member in the West Morris Regional High School District may soon be required to submit to an additional individual psychiatric evaluation if the board believes they exhibit a deviation from normal, physical or mental health.

The West Morris Regional High School Board of Education is being asked to adopt the resolution effective immediately, according to the agenda for Monday's meeting.

The agenda mentions an incident that occurred this past May at one of the West Morris District schools. The board was notified that the employee, identified only by their employee number, may have displayed deviation from normal mental health.

Employee #005260 was subjected to an additional psychiatric examination after factual evidence was considered, at the recommendation of Chief School Administrator Michael Ben David.

The decision was made in accordance with New Jersey Statute N.J.S.A 18A:16-2, which states that every board of education may require its employees and shall require any candidate for employment who has received a conditional offer of employment to undergo a physical examination. The board may require individual psychiatric or physical examinations of any employee, whenever, in the judgment of the board, an employee shows evidence of deviation from normal, physical or mental health.

While undergoing psychiatric care and evaluation employee #005260 will remain on paid administrative leave pending the results of the examination, the board said.

The board will meet on Monday, June 27 at 7 p.m. in the auditorium at West Morris Central High School. To view the full agenda, click here.