Commack teacher reassigned after alleged incident

A Commack school district teacher has been reassigned following an investigation of an alleged incident at a sporting event, the district superintendent said in a statement Friday.

The investigation into what Superintendent James A. Feltman described as "allegations of an incident that took place at a sporting event" comes days after an assistant Commack High School track coach was arrested on charges he sexually abused a 15-year-old student.

Feltman did not explain the nature of the alleged incident - or explain the reassignment in his letter published on the Commack Union Free School District Web site Thursday.

The teacher was not identified. Feltman called the investigation confidential and said only that it was conducted "in accordance with Education Law requirements."

The "publicity surrounding these events has impacted our community," Feltman said in the statement. "As educators, we are devastated by these matters. The repercussions of these situations reach much further than just the individuals involved, and affect us all."

"Please do not let these situations overshadow the work of the hundreds of employees and teachers in our district who are dedicated to being leaders and role models," the statement said.

Calls to Feltman on Friday were not immediately returned.

Suffolk police could not immediately say Friday if they were investigating any other alleged incidents in the school district or any incidents involving employees.

On Tuesday, Suffolk County police arrested Bryan Tornee, 26, of Commack, an assistant boys track coach who had been an assistant coach with the girls team last season, officials said. He pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges of sexually abusing a female student, 15, according to police. He had been suspended because of an alleged incident involving the girl in a Deer Park motel on Dec. 26.

After Tornee's arraignment, Russo said, "This is a fine young man. We'll give him our best representation." Tornee's father declined to comment.

Tornee, who played football at Commack, is the son of Commack Board of Education trustee Thomas Tornee and also worked as a part-time night custodian.