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Displayed with permission from CNB News.net
UPDATED:
by CNBNews Staff
(February 9, 2016…9PM)–When School Superintendent, Joe Rafferty, was asked after Tuesday night’s Board of Education meeting if he had a comment about the arrest, he responded: “No comment. We defer to the Gloucester City Police Department.”
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During the meeting Light’s arrest was not mentioned by the Superintendent or by any board member and no one from the public spoke during the public portions of the meeting.
The board did go into Executive Session and when it reconvened, the board voted to allow two students to return to school. The board also voted to affirm the January and February HIBs. (Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying) as presented.
By William E. Cleary | CNBNewsnet
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GLOUCESTER CITY, NEW JERSEY (February 9, 2016)—The Gloucester City Public School District has been shocked once again by the news of another school employee being arrested on charges of sexual assault.
In July, Robert A. Savage, of Stratford, a teacher’s aide employed by the Gloucester City Public School District was arrested by the Gloucester City Police for allegedly having sexual intercourse with a 13-year-old student. Savage was also the high school girls track coach at the time of the incident.
That crime allegedly occurred on or about September 1, 2002, in Gloucester City.
On February 9, Camden County Prosecutor Mary Eva Colalillo and Gloucester City Police Chief Brian Morrell reported that David H. Light, 33, a Gloucester City High School teacher has been charged in connection with a sexual relationship with a former student.
Light, 33, of Gloucester City, is charged with four counts each of second-degree sexual assault and fourth-degree criminal sexual contact.
It is alleged Light had a sexual relationship with the victim between May 2008 and December 2008. The alleged acts occurred when the victim was 17 years old and Light was her softball coach and a substitute teacher at Gloucester City High School.
Light was taken into custody on Friday. His bail was set at $200,000.
On Friday, Karen Cutler posted a comment on CNB about Savage. “Mr. Cleary, why hasn’t there been a follow up story as to whether Mr. Savage was found innocent or guilty by the legal system? It seems that if you publish the arrest then you should publish the verdict. My daughter was coached by Mr. Savage and he was a generous man. Helping individuals who really needed help. He was always an upstanding person.”
The prosecutor’s office said on Friday that the case against Savage was still pending.
We first heard about Light being arrested on Saturday. An anonymous CNB reader via email wrote, “Rumors floating around that another male coach from GHS (Gloucester High School) was arrested yesterday (Friday) for inappropriate activity with a female student. Hope it’s not true because of the history of this Gloucester family but people are talking and maybe you can get to the bottom of it.”
We were able to confirm the arrest that same day, however no one would go on the record. We contacted the prosecutor’s office on Monday. Andy McNeil, spokesman for the prosecutor, said a press release would be issued on Tuesday.
All persons charged with crimes are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
See more at: CNB News.net.