New York State dismisses complaint against Amityville schools
Rodney Wilkins, former associate principal of Amityville Memorial High School, when he announced the filing of his complaint with the New York State Division of Human Rights against the Amityville school district on July 6, 2015. Credit: Howard Schnapp
The New York State Division of Human Rights has dismissed a complaint against the Amityville school district filed by a former high school administrator who alleged he lost his job because of racial discrimination, according to an order obtained by Newsday through a Freedom of Information Law request.
Rodney Wilkins, who is African-American, alleged in his complaint, filed in June, that he was treated unfairly by his superiors on the basis of his race. Wilkins was fired in July from his position as an associate principal at Amityville Memorial High School.
An investigation by the state found the district terminated Wilkins’ employment for “falsifying his employment background on his application and resume,” according to the Division of Human Rights’ decision.
The division’s order said there is “no probable cause to believe” the district engaged in a discriminatory practice.
Investigators with the division found that Wilkins did not have the required experience and certifications for the position. The probe found that Wilkins said he had inadvertently copied and pasted the wrong information in his application for the Amityville post.
However, “a review of his previously submitted application showed that he hand-wrote that he had been dean of students on previous applications,” the division’s order said.
The order was dated Jan. 11. Newsday received a copy of it this week in response to its FOIL request.
Hempstead attorney Frederick K. Brewington, who represents Wilkins, said Friday: “The matter is currently in litigation and I don’t think it would be appropriate to comment.”
Wilkins, of Manhattan, was hired in March 2014 as interim assistant principal at $500 per day. Four months later, he was made associate principal, with an annual salary of $135,000.
In his initial complaint filed June 29, Wilkins said he was recruited for the position when John Williams was superintendent, with the goal of addressing racial issues at the high school. Williams died in February 2014.
Shortly after he started, Wilkins said in the complaint, his work was undermined by then-interim superintendent Mary Kelly, who is white. He said he was excluded from key planning meetings, belittled in front of his staff, removed from his office and relocated to a kitchen facility within the administrative building, and held to a different standard than were white employees.
Kelly, now the district superintendent, released a statement soon after school officials received the decision from the state in January.
“Throughout this process, the district was confident that these allegations were without merit,” Kelly’s statement said. “The district is pleased that the Division of Human Rights agreed, and believes this reflects positively on the district’s commitment to providing a professional work environment for all staff, free of discrimination.”
The division’s order also said that Wilkins had been “encouraged and supported” to apply for his first position by Kelly, and a staff review showed that Kelly “had recommended both male and female African-American employees for tenure and the position of department chairs.”
Joie Tyrrell is a Long Island native and covers education for Newsday, where she has worked since 1998.
