Officials: 2 teachers, father and son, suspended for child porn accusations in Rochelle Park

Officials say an investigation led to the raid of Midland School #1 social studies teacher and Tenafly Town Council President Jeffrey Grossman where they found the material.

Amanda Lee

Oct 13, 2023, 10:10 AM

Updated 439 days ago

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Parents in the Rochelle Park School District say they feel uneasy after two teachers, a father and son, were arrested on child porn charges. They both worked for the Rochelle Park School District.
Police were posted outside the school on Friday. The school was raided Thursday before police arrested 65-year-old Jeffrey Grossman, who taught social studies. He also serves as the Tenafly Town Council president. His son, 24-year-old Steven Grossman, who worked as a substitute teacher for the district, was also arrested.
Nicole Montes has three kids who go to the school. She told News 12, "My daughter said he was tough, very tough but I would've never guessed this at all."
According to the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office, they both had been using the internet to view, download and possess sexually explicit items depicting children. Police didn't say what led to the accusations, but they had already spent months investigating Steven Grossman for internet child sexual abuse.
Montes said, "Today I was very hesitant sending my two younger ones. I asked if they had checked everywhere for cameras. They said they did, I don't think I buy it. The school is big, this just happened last night. I don't feel comfortable sending them right now."
The school district sent a letter to parents saying the two have been suspended and prohibited from coming to the school or contacting any student or staff.
Montes added, "They say they do background checks, but there needs to be more done because now my oldest daughter, she's a little shaken up now."
News 12 also heard from Tenafly Mayor Mark Zinna about Jeffrey Grossman's role on the council.
Zinna said, "I was shocked to learn of the arrest of our borough council president. I think it is in the best interest of the borough that Mr. Grossman steps down in order that the people's business can continue uninterrupted and without distraction."
Other parents said Jeffrey Grossman has been working at the school for about 10 years.
Some parents plan on addressing their concerns at Tuesday night's school board meeting.