Arrest Brings Post Supporters To School Board Meeting

By Susan Coney

Several concerned parents and students attended the April 12 meeting of the Board of Education seeking answers to their questions about reports and rumors swirling around the arrest of Newtown High School Choral Director Sabrina Post.

Ms Post was placed on paid leave two months ago without comment or explanation by school administrators. Her arrest this week raised more questions.

The NHS choral director has been charged with one felony count of larceny, two felony counts of forgery, and a misdemeanor count for attempted larceny. (See separate story.)

The school board still would not comment about the details of Ms Post’s suspension or arrest. Chairman Elaine McClure did make a statement on behalf of the board, saying, “Now we are going to the court process, now with the judicial system we must be respectful of what they do. It will be done fairly. I caution you not to jeopardize a fair trial.”

With that the public was invited to speak, and more than 30 people — students, parents, and friends — came to show support for Ms Post. Some spoke at the beginning of the meeting during the public participation portion, but because so many wanted to speak on Ms Post’s behalf, several others had to wait until the end of the session in order to make a statement. All were outraged at the treatment Ms Post had received, stating that it was similar to a public witch hunt.

“What upsets me so much is the secrecy of the board,” said Dr Kevin Braun. “Shame on you. I am extremely suspicious about the arrest of Sabrina Post just two days after the production. If you think you are acting for the children, you are not. You should not have put Tyler [Von Oy] in the position to step down and put Matt Grills in. It is a high school production.”

A letter written by parents Jody and Bob Boles expressed similar feelings. A portion of the letter read by Ms Boles said, “We have known Mrs Post for several years now and can personally vouch for her integrity, credibility, and unending devotion to her kids. I would defy you or anyone else to prove that any improprieties in invoicing, budgeting, or reimbursements, no matter how bad it looks, were done for personal gain.” She continued saying, “It is a terrible shame that the students have been robbed of this wonderful teacher and friend, and that couldn’t there have been another way to handle this situation from the beginning.”

In emotional comments to the board, Tyler Von Oy, a senior at NHS, said that he and fellow choral members attended the meeting to show support for Ms Post, but that other students were too afraid to come. He explained that he had stepped down from a lead role in the production of Show Boat out of support and respect for Ms Post. He went on to convey that opportunities were denied the students. “Ms Post is a close friend of mine and I don’t think what happened was handled properly or in the best interest of the students,” he said.

Many other students voiced concerns that they were not receiving any information about why a favorite teacher, mentor, and friend was suddenly suspended. They noted they had substitutes for three weeks, during which time no work was being done in class and no questions were answered.

Parent Diana Paproski spoke with tears in her eyes. She praised the students for the courage they showed throughout this ordeal. She said, “It is obvious to the public that decisions are made by one person, the superintendent. I’ve spoken four times at the board meetings, with no results. The public is concerned, they need answers. I’d like to initiate a change; we have less than two weeks to rally the public to vote for the budget. You have to do something, you are losing trust in the public.”

In a final comment, Joan Piscitelli, who frequently attends the board meetings, admonished the school board. “You don’t communicate to the public, you don’t communicate to each other, it’s time you did, especially to these young people,” she said. “Educate them, bring them in, the message is simple — communicate.”