School Officials Tight-Lipped —

NHS Choral Director Removed Abruptly

By Larissa Lytwyn

On February 8, Newtown High School Choral Director Sabrina Post was placed on paid leave for an indeterminate period of time.

In addition to teaching chorus, Ms Post was advisor of the senior class and Drama Club as well as the director of the NHS Drama Club’s upcoming production of Showboat.

Citing the need for confidentially in personnel-related issues, Superintendent of Schools Pitkoff said that neither he nor any district administrators or faculty would comment on the reasons for Ms Post’s abrupt leave.

In an official statement made during the February 15 meeting of the Board of Education, Dr Pitkoff promised “the show will go on.” The suddenness of Ms Post’s departure, however, has already affected musical programs at the high school.

Dr Pitkoff expressed surprise upon learning that the NHS Chorale’s fundraising dinner and cabaret-style show, Music from the Heart, had been cancelled due to Ms Post’s abrupt leave. The benefit event, which was scheduled to take place on February 11 at Stony Hill Inn in Bethel, was set to include a silent auction and cash bar.

“It’s very unfortunate to hear that Music from the Heart was cancelled,” said Dr Pitkoff.

NHS Principal Patricia Llodra said that George Vallano, a certified educator with a strong background in musical theater, has been placed as interim director for Showboat, which is still scheduled to take place in April.

Meanwhile, Ms Llodra assured, “I am putting every out every ounce of energy I have to have ensure that the band and chorus’s upcoming competition in Toronto and the chorus’s trip to Carnegie Hall in March stay on track.”

Ms Llodra said that she and music director Michelle Hiscavich are currently interviewing candidates to serve as an interim chorus instructor.

While all chorus students were initially placed in study hall until an interim teacher could be instated, Ms Llodra said that, beginning February 15, Sandy Hook School music teacher Mary Rose Kristopik had “graciously” been able to teach a few sections of chorus.

“I was walking down the hall and heard the singing again, and I was so happy to hear that,” Ms Llodra said.

Both Ms Llodra and Assistant Superintendent of Schools Alice Jackson said they wanted to make clear that the district faculty members and administration have been working hard to ensure that the students’ quality of education is maintained.

“We [still] want them to have a good experience,” said Dr Jackson.

But the absence of information regarding the specifics of Ms Post’s leave has led to intense speculation by many parents and students.

During the February 15 school board meeting, local parent and New York state teacher Diana Paproski expressed concern over Ms Post’s leave.

“Speaking as a parent, taxpayer, and teacher of 26 years, I wish to question the district policy of abruptly removing a teacher from their teaching position without due cause,” she said. “I am able to understand the abrupt removal if children are in immediate danger. However, my observation from being present at the [Showboat] cast and crew meeting on February 11 was that the students present held Ms Post in the highest regard. They spoke with praise and admiration for the dedication Ms Post has for her job as teacher and mentor.”

She said that the students were “deeply hurt” that this administrative action was taken, especially, in the middle of their preparation for Showboat.

“On this basis, I question the policy of teacher removal as it has had a negative impact on so many community members, particularly at this time,” she said. “Was this extreme measure warranted and can it occur to any of our Newtown teachers and staff in the future? What kind of a message does it send them?”

The Newtown Board of Education policy entitled “Assignment, Transfer or Suspension of Personnel — For Cause” states that the superintendent “is authorized temporarily to…suspense a Board of Education employee for cause. The provisions of statutes or employee contracts will govern the procedure for this administrative action..”

Parent Deborah Eventoff also expressed concern over the situation to the board.

“I’m most concerned with the way this issue was handled, particularly in the middle of Showboat rehearsals,” she said.

As of February 17, no formal charges, administrative or criminal, have been publicly filed against Ms Post, who has been a choral director in Fairfield County for over 20 years.

Her area production and choreography credits include Evita, West Side Story, Anything Goes, Blood Brothers, Little Shop of Horrors and Carousel.

Last spring, she received much public acclaim for Newtown High School’s sold-out productions of Les Miserables.

Parent Carla Seymer believes that the school board should “reconsider their decision to place Ms Post on leave” and to “reinstate her position immediately.”

Ms Seymer said that this action would be the “fairest” to Ms Post and “to all of our children.”