Manhasset 2022_06_03

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Serving Manhasset, Munsey Park, North Hills, Plandome Heights, Plandome Manor, Plandome and Flower Hill

$1.50

Friday, June 3, 2022

Vol. 10, No. 22

am – 5 pm Sunday, June 5, 2022 • 10

l Heritage Celebrating Our Nautica reness and Environmental Awa + Vendor Booths +

Bay Fair + Elixir Cruises on the Court + FREE ADMISSION + Craft Park and Fun Stage + Food Fire Boat + Children’s Fun More! + Sports + Trolley + Much New Exhibit in Nautical Museum PLUS:

Saturday Sunset Cruises

aboard the Luxury Yacht

Elixir: Saturday, June 4, 6PM

& 7PM

tals.com/TryPortFirst

For all Elixir tickets: LIBoatRen

Buses 10 AM – 6 FREE Trolley and Shuttle

PM from the Railroad Station

Town Dock.

Admiral Sponsors:

by: HarborFest is Presented

For information call 883-6566 Graphics by Minuteman

& Manorhaven Park to the

GUIDE TO HARBORFEST

A RETURN OF OYSTERS TO BAY

HOLOCAUST EDUCATION BILL PASSES SENATE

PAGES 27-50

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or email office@pwcoc.org

Press of Port Washington

State launched probe into Butera: filings Outgoing Manhasset superintendent’s alleged actions violated district’s policy BY R OB E RT PE L A E Z The state Education Department launched an investigation into Vincent Butera, the outgoing superintendent of the Manhasset School District in late November, according to a subpoena. The “law enforcement investigation,” as it was described in court documents featured in a lawsuit between the school district and Newsday, directed Gaurav Passi, the district’s interim superintendent, to provide the department’s Office of School Personnel Review and Accountability with “documentary evidence,” including “current and past incident report(s), notes taken, evidence gathered, interview notes, video, audio, photographs, complaint and witness statements and contacts,” among others pertaining to Butera. In September 2020, a Shelter Rock Elementary School teacher filed a complaint alleging that Butera made her feel uncomfortable after hugging her twice in school and frequently visiting her classroom to “just stand in the back and stare,” according to NBC News. Both incidents were described as “creepy.” After that filing, the district hired the law office of Shaw, Perelson, May & Lambert to investigate the allegations. Two months later, the firm found that Butera’s actions were perceived as un-

welcome by the teacher and deemed them a violation of the school district’s policy. Blank Slate Media tried to obtain a document outlining the law firm’s findings through a public-records request in May, but Rosemary Johnson, deputy superintendent for business and operations, declined to release it, citing the district’s attorney-client privilege and saying the record’s disclosure would “result in an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.” Court documents showed that the Office of School Personnel Review and Accountability’s investigation was pending as of April 19, but department officials said in a statement to Blank Slate Media that they do not “confirm or deny the existence of investigations.” Documents show that the office’s investigation is in accordance with Part 83 of the New York Codes, Rules and Regulations. Officials said Part 83 permits the department to conduct an investigation into allegations of “lack of good moral character” against “certified educators.” “An educator facing charges in accordance with Part 83 is afforded the opportunity for a full due process hearing,” the statement from department officials said. “At issue when the Department initiates a Part 83 proceeding Continued on Page 61

PHOTO BY STEVEN KEEHNER

Visitors enjoy a fireworks display at North Hempstead Beach Park. On Saturday, hundreds of people gathered to celebrate Memorial Day weekend. See story on page 2.

Bomb threat made against Manhasset Secondary School BY R OB E RT PE L A E Z

uated after the school received the threat and the Nassau County Police A bomb threat was called into the Department was contacted. Police Manhasset Secondary School by an deemed the call to be “non-crediunidentified individual Tuesday, act- ble” and classes ultimately resumed ing Superintendent Gaurav Passi said and the remainder of the district’s in a letter to the district community. evening activities were to go on as Passi said the building was evac- scheduled, he said.

Police said they were conducting an investigation into the call. Passi encouraged parents and guardians to share any safety concerns they may have. “Unfortunately, this incident unnecessarily disrupted our instrucContinued on Page 60

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