Case dismissed vs. Ellis Tech administrator who brought gun to school. What about his job?

Rolando Navarro, the Ellis Tech assistant principal who allegedly brought a gun to the school in June 2021 had his felony charges dismissed in Danielson Superior Court on July 11. His job status remains unresolved.

The case dismissal came following Navarro’s successful completion of a rehabilitation program. Kerry Markey, career center and communications director for the Connecticut Technical Education and Career System, said the district is aware Navarro's case was dismissed.

Navarro continues on paid administrative leave with the Connecticut Technical Education and Career System. The Bulletin has reached out to Markey seeking information on whether Navarro would be assigned to a school for the 2024-25 school year or if he would be facing a termination hearing. Calls were not returned as of Wednesday afternoon.

Navarro was placed on administrative leave in February 2022. Since then, he has been collecting his full salary and benefits , including contractual raises. For the 2021-22 school year, he earned $137,646.87 and for the 2022-23 school year, he received $146,572.40. An article published in The Bulletin on Aug. 10, 2023 , stated that Navarro’s projected income for the 2023-24 school year was $150,814.00.

The allegation

Navarro was an assistant principal at Danielson’s Harvard H. Ellis Technical High School in June 2021 when a student allegedly found a pistol in his personal vehicle while performing a tire rotation.

After the firearm was discovered, Navarro wrapped the gun box in a seat cover and walked it outside to the vehicle of Assistant Principal Sarah Smith and placed the weapon in her trunk without notifying her. At the end of the school day, Navarro retrieved the gun box and left the school.

Navarro told police that he knew bringing a gun on school grounds was prohibited and that he had left the firearm in his vehicle by mistake.

The investigation

Ellis Tech’s administration conducted an internal investigation and Navarro was “disciplined.” Navarro told police he received a two-day unpaid suspension beginning on Oct. 29, 2021.

The Department of Children and Families and state police announced an investigation into a report of a gun at the school in February 2022. The initial investigation concluded with a finding of “no criminal aspect.” A second investigation was ordered by the Windham County State’s Attorney’s Office, which believed Navarro’s actions were potentially criminal.

That second investigation resulted in Navarro’s arrest in August 2022 on a felony count of possession of a weapon on school grounds. He pleaded not guilty to the charge that November .

John Penney and Sandy Meindersma contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: Case dismissed vs. Ellis Tech administrator who brought gun to school. What about his job?