A gym teacher at a Bronx special education school was arrested on Tuesday, January 14th, after allegedly exposing himself to students. Dana Barschdorf, 44, is accused of exposing himself in front of six students, aged 9 to 11, during a gym class at P.S. 723 on Webster Avenue in the Claremont Village section of the Bronx. The school serves children with autism.
Prosecutors say the incident involved Barschdorf exposing himself and using cleaning products inappropriately during the class. He faces charges of endangering the welfare of a child, harassment, and exposure.
“This alleged behavior is completely unacceptable,” said Jenna Lyle, a spokesperson for the Department of Education. Barschdorf, who was reassigned following the incident, pleaded not guilty during his arraignment on Thursday. He was released without bail and is scheduled to return to court on February 14.
Parents expressed concern over the incident and the lack of communication from the school. One parent, who requested anonymity, said, “They didn’t tell me that. It scares me. It scares me a lot. I don’t know what to think right now.” Another parent, Ana Rodriguez, said she had always been uneasy about Barschdorf, stating, “I was always a little skeptical about him. He never looked right.”
The Bronx District Attorney’s office has confirmed the charges, but further details of the investigation are not yet available. Sources say other school staff members reported Barschdorf’s behavior, prompting the investigation.
Barschdorf, who earned nearly $100,000 annually, has declined to comment through his attorney. The Department of Education emphasized that the incident is deeply concerning and that Barschdorf has been reassigned pending the investigation.
The case has raised concerns among parents about the safety of students at the school. Many are calling for more transparency and a full investigation into the allegations. As the legal process continues, the school is under scrutiny, and the community awaits further details.
