Rockaway Schools Respond To Lawsuit Over 12-Year-Old's Suicide, Bullying

ROCKAWAY, NJ — Rockaway Township Public Schools have issued a statement through their lawyer regarding a planned lawsuit by the parents of Mallory Grossman, saying they are "committed to protecting the rights and safety for all our students." Grossman, 12, died by suicide in mid-June following what her parents have called "horrific" bullying at Copeland Middle School.

In a letter sent by Superintendent Greg McGann through the law firm Schwartz, Simon Edelstein & Celso, the district said they are aware of a lawsuit announced by parents Seth and Dianne Grossman, but that they had not received a copy of the suit (you can read the full letter below).

"The teachers, staff and administrators within the Rockaway Township School District are, as they have always been, and as they will continue to be, committed to protecting the rights and safety for all our students," McGann said. "As our new school year begins in just over a month, our vigilance on behalf of our children and their quality education in our schools, is our primary focus and concern."

Watch: Girl’s Family To Sue School District For Suicide

Citing a pending investigation by the Morris County Prosecutor's office and the lawsuit, McGann said he could not comment further under the advice of legal council.

The Grossmans announced their intent to sue Rockaway Township Public Schools Tuesday morning alongside their lawyer, Bruce Nagel, of Nagel Rice of Roseland. The family alleges the school knew about and failed to properly address the bullying they say led to Mallory's suicide.

The family must first file a notice of intent to sue the school, which gives both parties an opportunity to settle outside of court. If no agreement is reached, a lawsuit could be filed. If a lawsuit is filed, "three or four" girls who allegedly bullied Mallory and their parents could be named as well, Nagel said.

The Grossman family said Thursday they were in the process of taking Mallory out of the public school system and placing her into a private school at the time of her death on June 14.

Dianne Grossman said she met with school officials consistently since Oct. 2016, up until the day of Mallory's death, to discuss bullying concerns.

“I’m going to make the assumption the school did something, but I’m also going to make the assumption, based on where we are today, that they didn’t do enough,” she said in a press conference Tuesday morning.

You can read McGann's full letter here:

The Rockaway Township School District is aware of the announcement yesterday of the notice of tort claim against the district by the parents of Mallory Grossman. So far, we have not seen that notice.

Because the case is still under investigation by the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, and also the subject of a tort claim, under the advice of legal counsel, The Rockaway Township School District cannot discuss this case in public or with media.

The teachers, staff and administrators within the Rockaway Township School District are, as they have always been, and as they will continue to be, committed to protecting the rights and safety for all our students.

As our new school year begins in just over a month, our vigilance on behalf of our children and their quality education in our schools, is our primary focus and concern.

Support services have been available for Rockaway students over the summer. McGann did not respond to Patch's requests for comment on if, or what kind of services would be available during the upcoming school year.

Follow Patch's reporting on this story:

• Mallory Grossman Lawsuit Makes National Headlines [VIDEO]
• Mallory Grossman's Family Sues Rockaway Schools Over Bullying That Led To Suicide
• 'Mallory's Army' Fights Back Against Bullying After 12-Year-Old's Sudden Death
• Mother Of Rockaway 12-Year-Old Who Died Complained To School About Bullying
• Rockaway 6th Grader Who Passed Away Remembered As Charitable And Outdoorsy
• Community Donates $64K To Family Of Rockaway Middle Schooler Who Died Last Week
• Fundraiser Launched For Rockaway 6th Grader Who Passed Away Wednesday
• Rockaway Middle Schooler Passes Away

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, or text the Crisis Text Line at 741-741.

Image: Dianne, center, and Seth Grossman, right, parents of Mallory Grossman, look as their attorney, Bruce Nagel, holds up a cell phone during a news conference in Roseland, N.J., Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2017. The New Jersey mother is suing her late daughter's school district because she says they didn't do enough to stop cyber bullying against her daughter that led the 12-year-old to kill herself. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)