NORWICH – Nineteen staff members are accusing an administrator in the Norwich City School District of verbal abuse, sexual harassment and professional misconduct, according to documents filed last month with the Board of Education.

The group, made up of 16 tenured teachers and three support staff members from the Middle School, are asking that Principal Lisa Schuchman be fired before the end of the school year for what they’re calling ongoing “vulgar,” “vindictive” and “unprofessional” behavior.

Included in the 45 pages of complaints obtained Monday by The Evening Sun are allegations that Schuchman on numerous occasions has used profanity in front of students and staff, humiliated faculty members and used obscene gestures.

Schuchman and several school board members would not comment on the complaints or the meeting, referring the matter instead, to Superintendent Gerard O’Sullivan.

“This is an internal personnel matter that I’m not going to discuss in the newspaper,” O’Sullivan said Tuesday morning, adding, “It’s part of my responsibility to look into the matter.”

Teacher Lucinda Jones read a statement at the last Board of Education meeting asking that they set up a time to meet with the 19 staff members. O’Sullivan was chosen by the school board to take up the matter. Jones and fellow middle school teacher Adam Everitt met with him Monday.