Superintendent And School Board Acted Appropriately

To the Editor:

I am disturbed by the responses from some of our citizens to the events surrounding the suspension and subsequent filing of criminal charges against Sabrina Post, a teacher at Newtown High School. Ms Post, who also served as the choral director and Drama Club advisor, has been accused of embezzling funds from various expense accounts and faces larceny and forgery charges stemming from a series of events dating back to 2002.

However, she has been investigated, suspended, and charged with wrongdoing, and although I will reserve judgment of this individual until the criminal process is completed, I cannot fault the superintendent or the school board for their actions in this matter.

My concern is that so many of her supporters have been very critical of our school district leaders for the actions they have taken. Accusations of secrecy and unfairness have been leveled against the superintendent and members of the school board. Those who make these accusatory remarks do not understand that the suspension of a teacher is a personnel matter and sharing information and details prematurely would be a violation of the rights of the employee. I support the superintendent and the school board for pursuing the investigation and at the same time taking steps to protect the privacy rights of the teacher until the completion of the process.

A glaring example of misguided support came in a letter to the editor which appeared in last week’s Bee from Phyllis and Kevin Braun. This letter called for the resignation of Dr Pitkoff and the election of new members to the Board of Education. The writers also appealed to the community to vote No in the next budget referendum. It seems that the Brauns are unhappy with the actions of the superintendent and the school board, citing that a “discussion” should have taken place, rather than an arrest. The Brauns stated in their letter: “Their decision to arrest rather than discuss shows no consideration for the students of this community or the taxpayers. Their charges against Ms. Post stem from confusion over the monetary amount that is under $3,000.” I suppose the Brauns would like $3,000 to be the cutoff figure determining when the district investigates possible fraud or theft and if the monetary amount is less than that, any employee is free to lie, cheat, and steal without fear of being investigated.

This is a ludicrous philosophy which does not well serve the community, the schools, or the many honest and loyal employees in our town. More importantly, it sets a terribly bad example for our children. Mr Braun signed his letter with DDS after his name. Perhaps I should visit his office for some dental work to the tune of about $3,000 and not pay him for his services. I’m sure his course of action would be merely to “discuss” this matter with me!

The Brauns also stated that the community doesn’t understand how ridiculous the charges against Ms Post are because she had access to more than 30 times the amount she is accused of stealing. So are they saying that an investigation should not have been undertaken because the accused may have only stolen some of the money, but not all of it?

If Ms Post is completely exonerated of the charges pending against her, she has remedies in the courts and through her union. She has suffered no monetary loss since she was placed on paid administrative leave since February. In this sense, all of the taxpayers in Newtown have been supporting her. If she is found guilty then the system has worked properly and our schools have been protected against further abuse by this individual. Let us all wait and see.

George Caracciolo

Schoolhouse Hill Road, Newtown                                April 20, 2005