Farmington Teacher Suspended Over Single 'Incident,' Docs Show

FARMINGTON, CT — Redacted documents obtained Wednesday by Patch did not divulge much about the nature of why a Farmington High School teacher/coach is on administrative leave.

But the correspondence between FHS Principal Scott Hurwitz and suspended math teacher/boys cross country coach Patrick Skerker appear to show the situation is regarding a single "incident."

Monday, the Farmington School System issued a notice to the community confirming Skerker is on administrative leave pending completion of an ongoing school system and police investigation into a "personnel matter."

The statement did not disclose the nature of the investigation, but school officials said safety is always something sought by the district.

Patch made a Freedom of Information request Tuesday regarding correspondence between the school and Skerker and it obtained two documents sent to the suspended teacher.

One is a letter dated Aug. 17, 2022 and it was written by Hurwitz to Skerker.

The letter's purpose appears to be a written confirmation of a conversation between Skerker and the principal on Aug. 12.

"I am placing you on administrative leave with pay and without prejudice as of Friday, Aug. 12," wrote Hurwitz to Skerker.

Hurwitz spoke of an ongoing "process" and said he would be in contact with Skerker.

"I also expect there to be an opportunity for you to meet with me again to provide additional details of this incident from your perspective," wrote Hurwitz to Skerker Aug. 12.

It is not clear if that follow-up meeting has already taken place.

Hurwitz concluded the Aug. 17 letter by citing Skerker's "cooperation and professionalism during this time."

In addition, the school district provided Patch with an email from Hurwitz to Skerker, which was just an introduction to the aforementioned letter that was attached to it.

"I appreciate the chance to speak this afternoon," wrote Hurwitz to Skerker in the email.

The letter doesn't mention any specified reasons about what the "incident" was, but the released letter does have what appears to be one sentence blacked out within the first paragraph.

School officials have said they will continue to communicate with the school's community as developments arise.

"Student safety is our first and most important priority and we are vigilant in ensuring a safe and caring school environment that promotes well-being for all students," the school system said in its message to the community on Monday.

From Tuesday: 'Teacher/Coach On Paid Leave Amid Farmington Probe'