Herricks Schools District says teacher in alleged 'disturbing' video no longer works for district
A Herricks public school teacher is no longer employed by the district after officials said they learned of a "disturbing" video that allegedly involved the educator.
In an open letter to the school community, posted Thursday afternoon on the district website, Herricks Superintendent Tony Sinanis wrote: "It has come to our attention that there is a video currently circulating on various platforms that allegedly features one of our teachers. We understand that the contents of this video are disturbing and upsetting. In light of this, we are conducting a full investigation into the matter and the teacher has been removed from the classroom."
Sinanis did not name the school where the teacher had worked.
At a school board meeting Thursday night, two officials seated at the dais said that "legal authorities" have been notified, counselors made available to students, and the teacher is no longer employed by the district.
Neither Sinanis nor Board of Education members immediately responded to phone and email inquiries seeking comment, the district pointing to the statement as its only comment on the alleged incident. Nassau County police could not confirm if district officials had contacted them about the alleged incident — or if there was an ongoing investigation.
The Nassau County District Attorney’s Office confirmed Thursday afternoon that law enforcement was investigating the alleged incident, but declined to comment further.
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John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”
