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2 Camden County High School Teachers, Principal Plead Guilty To Sex Scandal And Ensuing Cover-up

By Ian Bush

BLACKWOOD, NJ (CBS) –
On Monday, the former principal and two teachers at Triton High School in South Jersey took a plea deal from prosecutors in a sex scandal and alleged cover-up that rocked Runnemede last year.

There's a scared bond of trust between school staff and students, and Camden County Superior Court Judge Thomas Brown says 55-year-old Catherine DePaul of Woodbury violated it.

The Triton principal got a year of probation after pleading guilty to failing to report suspected child abuse.

"We are satisfied with the plea, and I know the victims' families are satisfied with the pleas," Brown says.

Camden County prosecutor Warren Faulk says two of the teachers who had been charged with criminal sexual conduct pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit official misconduct. Jeff Logandro, 32, and Dan Michielli, 27, both of Blackwood, face a month behind bars and up to five years probation at sentencing next month.

None of the three will be allowed to work in a public school or hold any other New Jersey state job.

Assistant principal Jernee Kollock and gym teacher Nick Martinelli are still facing charges.

On Monday, Superintendent John Golden released a statement that reads, in part:

"The Black Horse Pike Regional School District and Triton Regional High School community will remain dedicated and resolute in our belief that all students should be guaranteed a safe and secure learning environment; one in which our faculty serves as role models for developing the qualities of sound character. As a result of that foundation becoming jeopardized by actions counter to those beliefs, the Black Horse Pike Regional School District has responded and will continue to hold our employees to the highest standards in order to protect students and honor the aforementioned belief. We, as a community, have a shared commitment to doing what is best for students so that they may be prepared for tomorrow's challenges."

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