Principal is yanked in sex harass
City education officials threw a high-profile principal out of his Brooklyn school and into the rubber room amid sexual harassment charges, the Daily News has learned.
Urban Action Academy Principal Steve Dorcely is accused of showering his unwanted attention on colleague Jordan Barnett for two years after she ended their affair, according to a 2017 lawsuit.
The creepy details of Dorcely’s alleged behavior grabbed headlines — and prompted a probe. Dorcely’s last day on the job was this past Thursday, and he was assigned to a central Department of Education location as the probe continues.
“The decision to dismiss Mr. Dorcely as principal of Urban Action Academy was made in the best interest of students and families, and after a careful review of the school’s performance under his tenure,” said Education Department spokesman Douglas Cohen.
“The superintendent’s office is working closely with the school to provide additional support and ensure a smooth transition.”
According to the lawsuit filed by Barnett, the principal “sexually harassed her relentlessly in the work place” — including inappropriate remarks about her breasts and her buttocks.
Barnett said she became a target of punitive payback after breaking off her relationship with Dorcely and spurning his advances in a Brooklyn burger joint in December 2016.
The teacher charged her ex-lover undermined her career with bad performance reviews and arranged for four investigations of Barnett in a six-month period. Barnett alleged that the constant pressure forced her into therapy.