A former principal of the James H. Vernon School in the Oyster Bay-East Norwich School District, who recently came under fire for allegedly having an inappropriate relationship with a student, is now charged with falsifying employment applications.
Jessica Bader, 52, faces charges of first degree offering a false instrument for filing, a felony, and three counts of the same charge in the second degree, a misdemeanor. If convicted, she could face up to four years in prison.
“After engaging in an inappropriate relationship with a student at East Meadow High School, this defendant was given a second chance and the option to return to the teaching profession in the future,” Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly said. “Bader squandered that chance and again exercised poor judgement when she allegedly concealed her certificate suspension on applications for two high-level positions in the Oyster Bay-East Norwich Central School District. Parents across Nassau County entrust their children to the care of educators and administrators every day. These professionals must be held to the highest standards of honesty and integrity.”
Bader allegedly had the relationship with the student while working at the East Meadow School District in 2004, and resigned from the district in 2005 when administration found out and threatened her with charges if she did not.
Bader later worked in the Oyster Bay-East Norwich School District, starting as director of humanities for K-12 education before becoming principal of the Vernon School. She resigned in October following the New York State Department of Education’s (NYSED) investigation into her conduct.
Bader testified to NYSED that the male student was 18 years old at the time of the relationship.
According to Donnelly, Bader’s charges are related to when she applied for employment in the Oyster Bay-East Norwich District; she allegedly answered “no” to a question of if she had ever been forced to resign or face charges.
Bader is due back in court April 11.
