By MIKE RUSSO
But the meeting took a negative turn soon afterward, as residents stood to call for James Brown to be removed from his post as principal of Baldwin Middle School.
On May 7, Brown was convicted by a federal jury of intentionally inflicting emotional distress on Cheryl Farb, the middle school's former dean of students, who had claimed she was a victim of sexual harassment and gender and racial discrimination. The Baldwin Board of Education, which, after an internal investigation, determined that Farb's claims were unsubstantiated, was found guilty of retaliation, for terminating her.
The jury also found no evidence of sexual harassment or discrimination, but that did not stop residents, many of them parents of children who attend the middle school, from packing the middle school auditorium to demand results from the school board. “I want an action!” one resident yelled. “We all want action!”
"When are you going to wake up?" exclaimed another resident. "Do we have to throw all of you out?"
At one point, the crowd stood and applauded for a full minute to make their dissatisfaction known to the administration.
Residents' frustration swelled as each question was met with a similar answer by Mary Jo O'Hagan, the school board president, who stated that the board could not legally comment on the matter. "We will have a conversation on this issue," O'Hagan said, adding that the public could write letters to the superintendent and also to the state education commissioner. "But we are in the midst of ongoing
litigation."
O'Hagan's comments were reiterated by the board's attorney, Christopher Clayton. "When there is pending litigation, the board cannot discuss that in public session," Clayton said. "The Board of Education cannot comment. They're not in the position to answer questions."
But residents were not deterred. For nearly two hours they pressed the board for answers. Jean Smyth-Crocetto, who identified herself as an attorney, said she understands that the board must follow certain guidelines pertaining to the issue, but said she felt that Brown should not remain in the middle school. "Your obligation is to protect the students," Smyth told the board. "We entrust our children to [Brown]. I'm not comfortable with the idea of waiting it out while we subject our children to that environment."
Joan Lahowin, a 47-year Baldwinite who said her husband taught in the district —including the middle school — for 35 years, and whose four children attended schools in the district, said she feels Brown should be reassigned if not removed completely. She said she has many friends who work at the middle school, and she has heard them describe how Brown treats them.
"I wouldn't want to repeat what my friends have told me about him," Lahowin said. "He was very mean, very demeaning. I'm just appalled at what's going on. His attitude is just appalling."
By the end of meeting, just after 11 p.m., the board agreed to move to executive session. O'Hagan said she understood the community's outrage, but added that the board was limited in what it could comment on. "We get the message loud and clear," O'Hagan said. "It's unfortunate that we cannot comment."
The day after the meeting, the board released the following statement:
"The Board of Education sincerely thanks the community for sharing its concerns at last night’s board meeting. Please be assured that the board is taking these comments very seriously. The restrictions placed on the board due to the active and continuing litigation is frustrating for all of us. Even though we need to keep the restrictions in mind, the members of the board want you to know they are following the litigation very closely and have scheduled an executive session to further discuss the matter.
“In the meantime,” the statement continued, “we need to reiterate:
“The insurance company’s counsel is vigorously pursuing the appeal process.
“The district’s insurance coverage is in excess of the preliminary judgment.
“The jury specifically rejected all claims of sexual, racial and gender discrimination and/or harassment.
“No charges were related to inappropriate behavior involving students.
“The sole charge in dispute against Mr. Brown is the ‘infliction of emotional distress.’
“As residents of this community, we care deeply about the children and staff in the Baldwin School District. We ask for your understanding and support as we work to resolve the remaining issues.”
Comments about this story? MRusso@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 283.
