Valley Stream High School North staffer Scott Chung accused of stalking student, 17
Valley Stream North High School in Franklin Square. Credit: Debbie Egan-Chin
A Valley Stream North High School staffer has been charged with stalking after he allegedly approached a student multiple times at school, engaging her in "uncomfortable" conversations and "negatively" impacting her mental health, according to court documents.
Scott Chung, 59, who is identified in school board documents as a teaching assistant, is accused of peppering the 17-year-old with a string of “alarming” questions on Sept. 14 while she was in the school library during her free period, authorities said in court papers. He asked if she “drank and used drugs,” “had a boyfriend and boyfriend’s age,” and about her “place of work and schedule.” He also pressed her about her parents’ divorce and her father’s work schedule as well as whether she “sees her mother," the court papers state.
He also retrieved “her attendance record and inquired why she was absent so much," the court papers state.
On three other occasions, the New Hyde Park resident allegedly struck up similar exchanges, leaving the student feeling uneasy. One time he showed up at her gym class and stared at her, according to the complaint.
Since the start of the 2026-27 school year, court documents state, “Defendant has gone out of his way to seek out Victim almost 2-3 times a day engaging in uncomfortable conversations."
These incidents have “negatively impacted victim’s mental well-being,” according to the court papers. The student is “unable to go about her day normally,” because she is concerned he is watching her and fears he will appear at her home and workplace, the documents state.
Chung pleaded not guilty to the fourth-degree misdemeanor charge in Nassau County District Court in Hempstead on Oct. 3 and Judge Maria Boultadakis issued a temporary order of protection against him, according to a spokeswoman with the Nassau County District Attorney's office.
Chung's attorney, Steven Gaitman, of Gaitman & Russo in Garden City, said in a statement, "We believe that the arrest was a product of a terrible misunderstanding. We eagerly await discovery from the prosecution so we can have open dialogue with respect to this matter."
Wayne Loper, superintendent of the Valley Stream Central High School district, said in a statement that the district took action upon hearing of the allegations.
"While the District does not comment on individual personnel matters, in situations like this, the District would place an employee alleged to have engaged in such misconduct on paid suspension, remove them from the workplace, and notify law enforcement," Loper said. "After learning of the allegations, the District promptly took steps to protect student safety in this manner."
He continued, "The alleged behavior violates every standard the District holds for its employees regarding appropriate student-staff interactions and student safety. We continue to provide support to all students and encourage anyone with information to report it to administration."
School officials are cooperating with law enforcement and are conducting their own investigation to find out whether other students were impacted, he said.
Chung, who is tenured, is due back in court on Oct. 26.
Lorena Mongelli has been reporting for Newsday since 2021. Prior to that, she covered breaking news at the New York Post.
