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Parents, teachers and union urge Connetquot board to reverse tenure denial for unnamed administrator
Summary
Multiple public commenters, including a former trustee, teachers and the principals’ union, urged the Connetquot Central School District board to rescind its decision denying tenure to an unnamed administrator, saying the employee has an exemplary record and plays a key role in student mental‑health work.
Dozens of community members pressed the Connetquot Central School District Board of Education on Jan. 13 to reverse a decision denying tenure to an unnamed administrator, saying the move harms morale and student safety.
"I'm a former board trustee... I'm here to strongly support the women who shall not be named," said Jacqueline Apollatino Ferro, who said she had reviewed the administrator's personnel file and found a record of "documented excellence." She accused the board of favoritism and said personal grudges should not drive tenure decisions.
Several teachers and staff echoed that view. "This person shows the exact goal as all of you, to serve this community with integrity, dedication, and heart," said Paige, a Sycamore Avenue Elementary social worker who said the administrator had stayed late to support families and led mental‑health initiatives. Valerie Walters, a teacher at Duffield Elementary, said the board's ultimatum — to resign at the end of the year or face immediate termination — "came out of left field" and should be rescinded.
Representatives of district staff also urged the board to follow the recommendation of its administrators. The union president representing principals and directors told the board that central‑office administrators had "unequivocally" recommended tenure and warned that ignoring that guidance "creates the appearance of arbitrary and capricious decision making." He urged the board to "support the recommendation of your superintendent and your administration."
Board members did not take public action on the tenure matter during the meeting. The public‑comment period was limited to three minutes per speaker under board policy. Speakers repeatedly asked the board to reconsider and described the administrator's work in behavioral threat assessment and other student‑safety initiatives as essential.
The board did not identify the administrator during public comment. The union speaker said the administration had advocated for tenure; the board did not offer a new rationale on the record at this meeting. The next procedural steps were not announced during the session.
