Monday, November 7, 2016

Chappaqua: Drama Teacher to Register as Sex Offender

CHAPPAQUA - Christopher Schraufnagel pleaded guilty on Monday to charges that he sexually abused students, part of a new plea deal that requires the former Horace Greeley drama teacher to register as a sex offender.
Schraufnagel, who had an earlier plea agreement rejected by New Castle Town Justice Douglas Kraus, admitted in court that he abused three students at the high school between 2011 and last year, including two instances that involved "sexual contact." Read more

Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Chappaqua: Christopher Schraufnagel Drama Teacher Accepts Plea Deal that Would Include Registering as Sex Offender

Former Chappaqua drama teacher Christopher Schraufnagel has agreed to a new plea deal that will put him on the state sex offender registry.
New Castle Town Court officials said Schraufnagel's lawyer notified Town Justice Howard Kraus on Monday that her client will accept a revised plea offer from Westchester County prosecutors.
Kraus rejected an earlier plea agreement on Oct. 6. That deal called for a sentence of three years of probation and required Schraufangel, a former teacher at Horace Greeley High School, to surrender his New York teaching license. It did not, however, call for him to register as a sex offender. Schraufnagel is charged with sexually abusing two of his students.
Assistant District Attorney Mary Clark-DiRusso proposed a new deal, which defense attorney Stacey Richman agreed to on Monday — the same day Schools Superintendent Lyn McKay resigned after months of criticism for her handling of the controversy that continues to plague the district. Read more

Monday, October 31, 2016

Chappaqua: Lyn McKay's Letter to The Community She is Retiring

Dear Community Members,

As you have just heard from our Board of Education, I am retiring.

It has been an honor to be your Superintendent these past 5 years. We have experienced a lot together, from great moments to extreme challenges. We have shared ideas at community coffees, through our Chappaqua Education for the Future committee, through Highlights, at our Knowledge Cafes, and through our many individual conversations.

Over the past year we have been experiencing the aftermath of the arrest of a former Greeley theater teacher. These times have been difficult for our students, community, staff, and Board of Education. This horrendous situation is one a district and community should never have to go through.

Among many emotions, we have felt saddened and betrayed. I, too, feel these same emotions, not only as your Superintendent but as a mother. I am confident, however, that by our District and community working together and continuing to keep student safety and well-being a top priority, our Chappaqua school community will heal and come through these challenging times even stronger than before.

Our District is strong, not just fiscally and operationally but instructionally. Our curriculum and instructional practices, along with focused, planned, and innovative professional development, are some of the finest in education.

Our teachers are continually learning and pushing our instructional methodologies to the next level through action research and study groups such as our iFellows. Our administrative team comprises strong, knowledgeable, and caring leaders. Our support staff are always here to assist our students. Our clerical and custodial staff consistently make our work easier.

I want to thank our community and our dedicated staff for their commitment to our students and for their dedication to continually improving our teaching and learning environments. The Chappaqua Central School District is known nationally as a leader in educational best practices because of you, and is poised to remain strong in the coming years. It has been a pleasure for me to have been part of this exceptional educational community and to have collaborated with such committed and talented people.

Chappaqua Schools has a lot to do in the next two years, working together to create the curricular and instructional practices that will enhance the use of our new Global Learning Environments, STEAM Labs, and Instructional Centers. I have no doubt the outcomes will be no less than extraordinary for our students.

It has been a joy to see our wonderful students and staff each day, and it has been a privilege to be your Superintendent. I wish you the best.

Sincerely,

Lyn McKay

Chappaqua: Will Wedge Holds Press Conference on Lyn McKay's Resignation

CHAPPAQUA – After months of acrimony and a parents’ vote of no-confidence, the Chappaqua school board on Tuesday is expected to accept the resignation of embattled Superintendent Lyn McKay over a sex-abuse case that has rocked the district.
McKay's handling of the Christopher Schraufnagel sex abuse case included approving a controversial legal defense that blamed his victims for the abuse they suffered.
Tuesday's vote to part ways with McKay comes a day after her “resignation for the purpose of retirement” was announced in a districtwide email from the Board of Education, accompanied by a farewell email from the 74-year-old superintendent who has held the post for five years. Read more

Chappaqua: Letter From BOE About Lyn McKay's Resignation

Dear Chappaqua School Community, 

Today, Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Lyn McKay, announced her resignation for the purpose of retirement. The Board will vote on the amendment to her contract at tomorrow's regular Board of Education meeting. We will also be voting on appointing Dr. Eric Byrne as the Acting Interim Superintendent for a brief period of time until an Interim Superintendent is selected and appointed. The process of selecting the Interim Superintendent is now underway. Going forward, as soon as practical, the Board of Education will begin developing the process for and then implementing a nationwide search for the next Superintendent of Schools.

We would like to thank Dr. McKay for her many years of service and dedication to our schools. We thank her for her unwavering commitment to the students, our children, to the community, and to family. Dr. McKay's educational leadership has been instrumental in helping the District move to the forefront of 21st century teaching and learning.

We also thank Dr. McKay for her forward thinking in active learning, in developing both the physical and emotional learning environment, in professional development and in integrating evolving technology into the curriculum. Finally, we thank Lyn for her dedication, determination, dignity and grace.

The Chappaqua Central School District Board of Education
Alyson Gardner, President
Victoria Tipp, Vice President
Warren Messner
Jeffrey Mester
Karen Visser

Chappaqua: Superintendent of Schools Lyn McKay Resigns

CHAPPAQUA - Lyn McKay, whose handling of the Christopher Schraufnagel sex-abuse case included approving a legal defense that blamed his victims, resigned today as superintendent of Chappaqua schools.
According to a message sent districtwide by the Board of Education, McKay "announced her resignation for the purpose of retirement."Read more

Thursday, October 20, 2016

Chappaqua: Judge Allows Victim # 6 to Sue the School District


Civil claims filed against former Horace Greeley drama teacher Christopher Schraufnagel by one of six former students may move forward, a judge has ruled.
State Supreme Court Justice Joan Lefkowitz said ina decision filed Wednesday that the student, identified only as "John Doe," may file a late notice of claim — the precursor to a civil lawsuit — alleging that the 42-year-old ex-teacher sexually abused him while he was a student in the Chappaqua Central School District. Read more