Struthers school officials to discuss case of janitor charged with student assault

By Jeanne Starmack

The employee is on paid leave for now.

STRUTHERS — School district officials are expected to have a special meeting concerning an employee who is charged with assaulting a student.

Jennifer Lucansky, a janitorial technician at Struthers High School, is accused of grabbing a 17-year-old girl by the back of the neck and squeezing, telling her to “stop writing your name on the [obscenity] whiteboards.”

A police report indicates the episode happened at 12:13 p.m. Nov. 17.

Lucansky is charged with a first-degree misdemeanor assault and with menacing, a fourth-degree misdemeanor.

The police report does not contain her age or address.

The police report says the principal at the high school, Mary Anne Meadows, reported the episode to School Resource Officer D.J. Aldish. Meadows told Aldish a teacher reported that after the episode, Lucansky walked out of the classroom and “continued her duties.”

The police report indicates the girl’s mother wants to pursue administrative as well as criminal charges.

Lucansky pleaded innocent at her arraignment in Struthers Municipal Court on Nov. 23. She was released on her own recognizance, the Struthers clerk of courts office said. Her preliminary hearing is set for May 7.

Struthers Schools Superintendent Robert Rostan said the school board might call a special meeting soon to talk about the situation.

He said Lucansky remains on paid leave for now in accordance with Ohio law until the board makes a decision.

He said the board does not have to wait until the disposition of the criminal case to act.