GILBERT, Ariz. — The principal of a Gilbert elementary school is now on leave following a string of lawsuits that were filed against her and several others tied to the violent "Gilbert Goon" attacks in the East Valley.
In an e-mail sent to parents of students at Riggs Elementary School Tuesday, it announced principal Jamie Lander was on leave. The message did not disclose if Lander made the decision herself or if the school placed her on leave.
12News reached out to a spokesperson for Chandler Unified School District and was told the district can not comment on personnel matters.
VERSIÓN EN ESPAÑOL: Directora de una primaria ausente bajo licencia luego de ser acusada en demandas de Gilbert Goons
12News also reached out to Lander but did not receive a response.
In the last week, Lander was named in two lawsuits and a notice of claim filed by the family of teen victims who were assaulted by other teens in the East Valley.
The notice of claim alleged Lander's stepson was involved in an attack that happened in August at a Gilbert In-N-Out parking lot. Another lawsuit claimed Lander's stepson was also involved in an assault at a Mesa park back in May. Those same documents alleged the teen orchestrated the assaults and sent threatening messages to the victims.
According to court documents Gilbert Police questioned the teen at his house with Lander present. It wrote that the teen showed officers a video of the In-N-Out attack but claimed he did nothing wrong. He reportedly said he ran toward the fight with a clenched fist.
Many concerned parents were at the Chandler Union High School District board meeting Wednesday night. During public comment one woman said Lander should be fired.
“This district’s silence on Mrs. Lander’s involvement has been consistent and deafening," another speaker said.
District officials said they cannot discuss pending litigation or personnel matters in a statement that night. When allowed, the district intends to address significant misinformation circulating on the topic of violence within the community, that statement said.
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EAST VALLEY TEEN VIOLENCE
For months, 12News has been tracking a growing number of teen violence cases in the East Valley.