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, according to reports. Two months later, the firm found that Butera’s actions were perceived as unwelcome 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 is whether the certified educator has the ‘good moral character’ to retain the certificate they hold.”
Jamie Moss of newsPRos, a public relations firm that works on Butera’s behalf, provided a statement on behalf of Butera, who said he was not aware of any investigation launched by the department prior to Newsday reaching out Wednesday.
“I have always welcomed a full understanding of all facets of the complaint which informed the board’s decision 18 months ago that discipline was not warranted; the board’s public comment last May that their decision was “the right one;” the board’s February 14, 2022 public statement reaffirming those sentiments and the personal letters of recommendation written on my behalf by Board trustees with whom I served,” Butera said in the statement. “I am very confident that whatever proceeding may be underway the DOE will determine that the allegations against me were unfounded, unfortunate and undeserved.”
The Manhasset Board of Education unanimously approved a separation agreement with Butera during a special meeting in February.
At the time, Butera was on paid administrative leave since May 2021 and will remain so until his resignation from the district becomes effective on July 11, according to the agreement. Butera will also receive the full remainder of his annual pay, $286,844, until his contract expires on June 30, 2023, according to the agreement.
Passi, who was appointed to fill in for Butera during the investigation, was appointed to become the district’s full-time superintendent after the board reached the separation agreement with Butera.
Deirdre Gilligan, a Syntax spokesperson for the district, told Newsday nothing had changed with Butera’s status within the district since the separation agreement and declined to comment any further. District officials declined to comment further.
Butera, in April, wrote to Blank Slate Media an op-ed giving his perspective on the complaint involving sexual harassment and subsequent investigation that ended in his resignation from the district.
“It has always been my intent to demonstrate care and kindness in my personal and professional interactions,” Butera said. “Those who know me know that had I been made aware, I would have responded immediately and appropriately.”
Butera said it is surreal to have his reputation “subjected to this degree of calumny.” Butera said he was also thankful for the Manhasset community that supported him.
“The past several years have shown each of us that every so often the universe sends us a message that life is sometimes hard and unfair, yet the only thing we control is how we respond and what we learn from these moments,” Butera said. “While there are many challenges that lie ahead, may our willingness to engage in a dialogue of understanding and care make this a time of resilience, healing, and personal growth for all.”
Board of Education President Pat Aitken previously acknowledged the “heated reaction in the school community” as a result of the investigation but said some of the claims against Butera by those urging that he be removed from his position were “uninformed.”
Aitken said Butera helped navigate the district through the initial year of the COVID-19 pandemic and prioritized the mental health and well-being of students, staff and families during his four-year tenure as superintendent.
“With the passage of time, both Dr. Butera and the district have mutually agreed that it is now best to put this chapter behind us,” Aitken previously said. “This understandably has been a difficult time for the Manhasset school community, Dr. Butera, and everyone involved in this matter. We remain hopeful this resolution will enable all to move forward.”
