Hamilton principal charged with sexual assault, sexual interference

A middle school principal in Hamilton has been arrested in connection with an alleged sexual assault involving a female student.

Damir (Dan) Ivankovic, of Stoney Creek, was taken into custody after attending Central Police Station on Wednesday. He has been charged with sexual assault and sexual interference.

The alleged incident happened during the 2017 school year while the 54-year-old was working as principal of Ryerson Middle School.

The Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) issued a statement Wednesday saying it is “shocked and saddened” to learn of the charges laid against Ivankovic.

The HWDSB community is shocked and saddened to learn that the @HamiltonPolice has charged an employee and current principal at Ryerson Elementary School with sexual offences. Read our statement here: https://t.co/ggwhTGEIxm

— HWDSB (@HWDSB) August 7, 2019

HWDSB says he was hired in 2003 and worked as a principal at Rosedale Elementary School until 2007. Ivankovic then worked at Viscount Montgomery Elementary School before being hired at Ryerson — a middle school with students in grades 6 to 8 — in September 2014.

The board says he was assigned to home duties on January 9, 2019, after the alleged incident was reported to the school board and police.

Investigators are concerned there may be more victims.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Acting Det. Sgt. Robert Lejeune at 905-540-6375.