Bedford vice-principal who was stabbed by student files lawsuit

A high school vice-principal who was stabbed by a student two years ago in Bedford, N.S., is suing the school's security guard, the Halifax Regional Centre for Education and the province, saying the incident was preventable.

A statement of claim filed on Monday in Nova Scotia Supreme Court says Wayne Rodgers of Middle Sackville, N.S., was stabbed twice by the student at Charles P. Allen High School on March 20, 2023, causing physical and psychological injuries.

The teen — who was 15 at the time of the incident — had four knives in his possession when he was called to the school office to explain putting up unauthorized posters in the school, court heard during the criminal case.

During a discussion about possible consequences, he stabbed the vice-principal twice. Rodgers had to have a tube inserted in his chest after he was taken to hospital and required surgery for an injury to his diaphragm.

The staff member who heard his screams was also stabbed.

The boy, whose identity is protected under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated assault. He was sentenced last September to two years of probation.

The allegations

The statement of claim alleges the school's full-time security guard failed to recognize that the student was becoming agitated and aggressive and failed to take steps to de-escalate the situation.

It also alleges the guard was negligent in leaving Rodgers alone with the student "after causing the student to become agitated and aggressive," and negligent in closing the vice-principal's door when leaving, "which ultimately locked from the outside and trapped the plaintiff inside with the student."

The lawsuit alleges the Halifax Regional Centre for Education negligently employed the security guard, who did not have proper training in "search and seizure or de-escalation procedures or techniques."

It also alleges the regional centre and the province failed to take appropriate steps to provide for the physical safety of employees, despite being aware of the history of violence at the school and "specific concerns regarding the student." 

It goes on to detail Rodgers's physical and psychological injuries.

"The plaintiff says that this incident was preventable, and the losses and damages he suffered were caused in whole or in part by the negligent acts and/or omissions of the defendants," the statement of claim says.

The lawsuit seeks damages, but does not specify an amount.

The allegations have not been proven in court and a notice of defence has not yet been filed.

A spokesperson for Halifax Regional Centre for Education declined to comment on Friday, saying the matter is before the courts. But Lindsey Bunin did confirm Rodgers is on leave.

Robert Carter, Rodgers's lawyer, did not immediately return a request for comment Friday. A spokesperson for the province's Justice Department said it would not be appropriate to comment on a matter before the courts.