14-year-old student attacks Rutherford principal with a knife

A 14-year-old student attacked a principal in Rutherford with a knife Friday morning, police said.

Union School Principal Kurt Schweitzer was leading the eighth-grade graduation rehearsal at Washington School at about 9:30 a.m. when the student ran across the gym and attacked, police said. The eighth-grader stabbed the principal in the chest with the folding knife several times, but Schweitzer was not seriously injured, according to police.

The student then dropped the knife and put his hands in the air. A teacher grabbed the knife and police arrived to take the teen into custody. 

Superintendent Jack Hurley said that physically, Schweitzer is fine. 

"He’s a little shaken by what happened," Hurley said. 

Classes proceeded as normal, but Hurley declined to comment on any disciplinary actions the student will face from the district.

The 14-year-old was charged with aggravated assault and weapon offenses and remains in custody. 

Rutherford police will attend Wednesday night's graduation ceremony as a precaution. 

Schweitzer became principal at Union School in 2014 following the retirement of Ken Polakowski. As principal Schweitzer was willing to have fun with the student body, as he once spent the night on a roof following a reading challenge. 

The superintendent praised Schweitzer.

"He’s a great guy and an excellent principal," Hurley said, "and I’m just happy he’s not injured." 

Check back for more on this developing story.

Email: jongsma@northjersey.com

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