Second Former Student Sues OCVTS, Alleging Sexual Assault by Performing Arts Teacher
A second former student has sued the Ocean County Vocational Technical School District, alleging a former teacher groomed and sexually assaulted her. The lawsuit claims school administrators ignored warning signs of inappropriate relationships between staff members and students.
OCEAN COUNTY, NJ — August 16, 2026 — A second former student has filed a lawsuit against the Ocean County Vocational Technical School District and former superintendent Karen Homiek, alleging she was sexually assaulted repeatedly by a former Performing Arts Academy teacher during her junior and senior years.
The 50-page lawsuit, filed August 12, alleges the abuse occurred between 2015 and 2017 and accuses former teacher Douglas I. Bollinger of using his position at the Performing Arts Academy to groom and sexually abuse the student.
The lawsuit also alleges school administrators were aware of inappropriate relationships between staff members and students but failed to take appropriate action. It specifically names Homiek, who was principal of the Performing Arts Academy when Bollinger was hired in 2015 and later became superintendent of the vocational district in 2019.
According to the lawsuit, the student alleges Bollinger used promises of opportunities in school productions and assistance with college admissions to gain her trust and control. The complaint further alleges that an internship and later employment were used to facilitate continued abuse.
The allegations come shortly after a separate lawsuit filed August 4 by another former student. Bollinger previously pleaded guilty to sexually touching a student and was sentenced in February.
Both lawsuits accuse the school district of maintaining a culture in which inappropriate relationships between staff and students were allegedly tolerated and the school's reputation was prioritized over protecting students.
The Ocean County Vocational Technical Schools have reportedly not responded to requests for comment regarding either lawsuit.
The latest complaint does not specify an amount of damages being sought.
The allegations contained in the lawsuit have not been proven in court, and the defendants are entitled to respond to the claims through the legal process. ⚖️
Garden State News Network will continue to follow the case as it develops and as additional court filings or official statements become available. 📰