Former Lawrence Woodmere Academy teacher sentenced

Daniel McMenamin, the former math teacher at Lawrence Woodmere Academy, who pleaded guilty to one count of rape second-degree and one count of criminal sex act in April, was sentenced to 10 years probation on May 30.

McMenamin admitted to several acts of sexual misconduct from November of 2014, when the girl was 14 until July of last year. The girl was a student at the school in Woodmere when this occurred. When arrested in October, McNenamin had not taught at LWA in two years, according to school officials.

The girl made statement calling McMenamin, 33, a “narcissistic, sociopathic child molester,” and intimidated her into the sexual relationship. The sentence was what the Nassau County District Attorney’s office called a “negotiated disposition” to spare the victim further pain and trauma of having to testify at trial.

He waived his right to appeal, an order of protection was issued and he must surrender his New York state teacher’s license and must register with the state as a sex offender.

McMenamin’s arrest and the revelation in January that another teacher had an ongoing flirtatious relationship with another student led to the firing of Headmaster Alan Bernstein and a shake up of the school’s board.

“Lawrence Woodmere Academy will always maintain the interests and safety of our children comes first,” Headmaster Barbra Feldman said in April. “We have enhanced our policies and procedures that ensure the integrity of our institution. This was a sad time for everyone and we have moved on to insure the continuance of our quality education for all of our students in a safe and protective environment.”

McMenamin had the opportunity to speak near the end of the sentencing hearing. However, his voice was so low as to be inaudible to the courtroom audience.

He was also arrested in March and pleaded guilty to making inappropriate sexual comments to a teenager he was tutoring.