The Chappaqua Central School District Board of Education voted to appoint Steven Latino, Esq., of Shaw, Pearlson, May and Lambert LLP to investigate and report on the facts and circumstances of an International Day event at 7 Bridges Middle School held March 6, 2025.

Board President (name not specified) read the resolution during the president’s report and moved its adoption. The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. The board’s president said, "you can expect the board to respect the privacy rights of both our staff and families in this process, and we think this is the right step to do that." The resolution directs the attorney to investigate and report to the board and the superintendent.

The resolution followed public concern raised during earlier public comment and an executive-session discussion. Superintendent Dr. Ackerman told the board that principals had been reminded of policy 4,060 (the district’s process for bringing outside speakers into school buildings), that the district and PTA executive council agreed to meet over the summer to plan large-scale events differently, and that trainings with a Muslim community organization and the American Jewish Committee were scheduled.

During public comment several residents urged the board to balance confidentiality with transparency. Warren Gottlieb, identified as a parent, urged the board to provide a factual recitation of findings that could be shared with the community once appropriate legal confidentiality concerns were addressed. Roger Klepper, a community resident, said the Jewish community in the district was feeling vulnerable and urged greater vigilance and care from the district.

The board did not provide a vote tally in the meeting record; the motion was adopted by voice vote and recorded in the minutes. No timeline for the attorney’s report was given during the meeting.

The district will next consider any recommendations from counsel in committee and policy conversations once the investigation report is available.