The Bergen Record/1968/Norton Case Referred To State

by J. Kevin Hall

Norton Case Referred To State

By J. Kevin Hall.

Staff Writer.

Ridgefield, New Jersey. Charges made against James Norton, high school physics teacher accused of striking a student, have been referred by school trustees to the state commissioner of education. The action came last night after Norton failed to appear at a Board of Education bearing scheduled to hear the teacher's response to charges made against him by George Najemian, former school board candidate. Najemian claims, the 39-year-old Norton struck his son, a student at the school. He has filed civil charges against Norton as well. "The Ridgefield Board of Education feels it has no alternative other than to refer these charges to the state Commissioner of Education for his action," said a board statement read last night by School Supt. W. Arthur Skewes when Norton did not show up. Norton, suspended by the board last year on similar charges involving another student, and later reinstated as charges were dropped, was not suspended this time. School is no longer in session and teachers and students are away, said Skewes when asked why the board had not suspended Norton. The board would not comment on what status Norton would have in September should the commissioner not reach a decision by that time. Reached later at his home, Norton said his attorney, Saul Alexander of Paterson, had advised him not to attend the hearing last night. "The letter from the board inviting me to attend," Norton explained," told me I could not bring legal counsel with me." Pre Trial Hearing Due. On that basis, and since a board attorney was expected to be present. Alexander cautioned him not to attend, said Norton. "I wanted to go in any case," said the teacher, "but my attorney thought it unusual that I could not bring counsel." With the matter referred to the state, the next order of business is a pretrial conference, Norton said, when his attorney and the boards will confer on who is to testify and for whom. When that pretrial conference will be is up to the commissioner, as is the date for hearing the case formally. Norton said he hoped a decision would be reached before school opens for the fall term. Meanwhile, Norton's attorney has obtained an indefinite postponement of a Municipal Curt hearing on Najemian's civil charges that resulted in Norton's arrest last month. The postponement was requested, Norton said, until after the state commissioner renders a decision. A favorable decision by the commissioner may make a Court hearing on Najemian's suggested.