RCSD teacher allegedly assaulted at Franklin High School says teachers not being protected

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — Corrine Mundorff has been teaching in the Rochester City School District for a long time, and she says the violence inside these walls is beyond the pale.

Brett Davidsen: "How bad is it now compared to the 16 years you’ve been teaching in the district?"

Corrine Mundorff: "Worse than I’ve ever seen it."

Two weeks ago, she says she was the victim of a sexual assault by a female student who had been involved in a fight in her classroom at Franklin High School. She said the girl attacked her when she went to get help — shoving her, swearing and spitting at her, but it didn’t end there.

"And, you know, we got another 10 steps, and this fourth time the student turned around instead of shoving me up at my shoulders, the student turned around and grabbed my breasts and fondled me for about 30 seconds, and then shoved me and spit in my face, and I said to the student, ‘Don’t touch my breasts,’" Mundorff recounted.

Mundorff has filed a police report. RPD says it is actively investigating.

It all comes as the teacher’s union begs for more protection for its members. Friday, in her weekly video message, RCSD Superintendent Lesli Myers-Small said police are assisting during arrival and dismissal times at some of the schools… but they are not recommending a return of school resource officers.

"However, it is important that we continue to look for long-term solutions that will help keep everyone safe," she added.

Brett Davidsen: "Do you think the district is doing enough to protect the faculty and the staff at the schools?"

Corrine Mundorff: "Absolutely not. absolutely not."

Mundorff blames pandemic-induced trauma to the students and 18 months with little to no structure.

Brett Davidsen: "What can they do to better protect everybody?"

Corrine Mundorff: "We need, one thing that we need is we need more security, hands down. We need more security. We need more social workers We need smaller class sizes. We need more teachers. We need more social-emotional learning."

As for Mundorff’s attacker?

Brett Davidsen: "What ended up happening to the student?"

Corrine Mundorff: "So the student was suspended pending a long-term suspension hearing this student had a long-term suspension hearing this week. And I found out yesterday that the school district denied the long-term suspension."

In an emailed statement, a district spokesperson referred to the alleged assault as an "altercation" and said the student was entitled to due process and following the process, she was scheduled to return to the school. It went on to say they are working with Mundorff to provide support as the student transitions back into the building.