Attorney For NHS Security Chief: Dismissal ‘Unjustifiable’

By John Voket

An attorney for Richard Novia accompanied his client to a Board of Education meeting this week, pleading for an opportunity to be heard over what he deemed an “unjustifiable action” that resulted in the Newtown High School security chief being put on administrative leave. Referring to a March 12 incident, which apparently triggered district action against the 15-year district employee, attorney Vincent Sabatini called for the board to consider reinstating Mr Novia to his former post.

Without mentioning the name of a student who was allegedly involved, Mr Sabatini stated that the incident was the first in Mr Novia’s tenure requiring any administrative discipline against him. The attorney then characterized the student in question as “most notorious,” telling the school board that person had been expelled, and currently has a “warrant outstanding for his arrest.”

Mr Sabatini had to be reminded several times by school board member David Nanavaty, himself an attorney, to not refer directly to information contained in a letter Mr Novia’s counsel dispatched to board members this week about the incident. After accusing the district of “tolerating the student’s behavior,” school board member Lillian Bittman also admonished the attorney, citing the district’s privacy policy.

“Parents deserve to know what’s going on at the high school that caused this incident to happen,” Mr Sabatini replied.

School board chair Elaine McClure asked the board’s opinion about whether or not Mr Sabatini was justified in speaking to the board. Mr Nanavaty said he would be concerned that if the issue came before the board in the future, it might be better for Mr Novia’s attorney to wait for that opportunity.

“Mr Novia has a contract with the board of education, he’s been put on administrative leave — he has been in effect fired — and this should be something the board should know about,” Mr Sabatini replied.

He sited several of “many testimonials,” including those from long-tenured fellow school staffers, administrators, parents, and union officials, who all stepped forward speaking on Mr Novia’s behalf.

Scott Clayton, an assistant principal at the high school, noted that Mr Novia’s “patience, perseverance, and commitment in solving [a] problem has saved the taxpayers thousands of dollars.” A fellow teacher who worked with Mr Novia since 1993 wrote that Mr Novia has worked “many hours above and beyond the normal school day.”

Mr Sabatini said there are many other letters, “written to the board from teachers going into more detail, even mentioning the individual involved.”

Ms McClure noted that Mr Novia was on hand and appeared to not be bothered by having the incident discussed in public, but “we try to protect our staff and protect our students, especially if it’s going to lead to somebody knowing a student’s [identity] especially if it’s a minor.”

After some further discussion it was determined that the board would hear from Mr Novia and his attorney in an executive, or closed, session when the school board meets on May 20. Mr Novia has the option of having his hearing conducted in public, but Mr Sabatini told the board the incident should be discussed in a closed session.