The composite image features multiple elements: on the left is the exterior of PS 70 with four red doors; in the upper right is a screenshot from news footage showing the arrest of a teacher, including a patrol car and a man in handcuffs; and in the lower right is another exterior shot of PS 70 in Long Island City.
A Bronx elementary school teacher named Norman B. Dunkley has been accused of inappropriate behavior towards students, including touching a 10-year-old girl’s chest over her clothing and showing other children a pornographic photo. Despite these allegations, Dunkley has remained on the city’s payroll for years, as reported by The Post.
According to a recently released report by the city’s Special Commissioner of Investigation, Dunkley allegedly made students uncomfortable by touching them on their faces and shoulders, in addition to calling them names like “baby” and watching sexual content on his phone. Several students claimed to have seen a nude photo on Dunkley’s phone while submitting their assignments.
Dunkley, who works as a fifth-grade science teacher at PS 70 in Claremont Village, was arrested in May 2022 on charges of sex abuse and forcible touching. However, he has been receiving his full salary of $132,699 per year, despite being sidelined from teaching duties since his arrest.
In January 2023, the Bronx District Attorney’s office dropped misdemeanor charges against Dunkley due to the alleged victim relocating out of state and being untraceable. The case highlights the Department of Education’s failure to promptly terminate tenured teachers who are deemed unfit to work with children.
The Special Commissioner recommended terminating Dunkley’s employment with the DOE based on the investigation’s findings. However, it is unclear whether misconduct charges were filed against Dunkley or if an administrative hearing was held to determine appropriate disciplinary actions.
As of now, Dunkley has been reassigned away from working directly with children, but concerns remain about the DOE’s handling of the situation. The allegations against Dunkley are deeply troubling, especially given the young age of the students involved.
Despite the severity of the accusations, Dunkley retains a teaching license for grades 1 to 6, raising questions about the oversight of educators’ moral character. Dunkley declined to speak with investigators and ended a call with a reporter when asked about the investigation report.
