More Administrative Terminations in Wake of Stamford High Teacher-Student Sex Scandal

The turnover of administrators at Stamford High School continues in the wake of the teacher-student sex scandal.

On Friday, Stamford School Superintendent Winifred Hamilton announced that she will fire the high school’s assistant principal Angela Thomas Graves.

In a memo to the Board of Education that is posted on the district’s website, Hamilton said:

Based on my comprehensive review of the Pullman and Comley report, discussions with individuals named in the report, and advice from the district’s attorney, I have made my final disciplinary decision with regard to the report findings.

Angela Thomas Graves has received notification this afternoon of my intent to move for her termination, and she has been placed on administrative leave as required by law, effective immediately.

I assure you, each and every decision related to this incident has been made with safety of children and the best interest of the district in mind.

Because these decisions are now pending legal matters, and to ensure that each individual impacted has the right to fair and due process, I cannot discuss any details, nor will I, until they’ve run their legal course.

I am working with Mr. (Tony) Pavia to determine how best to fill Ms. Thomas-Graves’ role throughout the end of the year. And, as I’ve already shared, we are in the process of hiring a permanent principal for Stamford High School in order to focus on rebuilding the trust and confidence of our staff and families.

Since the scandal first broke in June with the arrest of former English teacher Danielle Watkins and ended with her being sentenced to five years in jail for sex assault charges, there have been administrator arrests, legal reviews and now administrative actions.

Former Principal Donna Valentine and Assistant Principal Roth Nordin were arrested on charges they failed to comply with state laws requiring the reporting of inappropriate incidents or relationships involving teachers and students. They were accepted into an accelerated rehabilitation program that allows first-time offenders the chance to erase their record upon successful completion of the program.

Since their arrests, former Stamford High Principal Tony Pavia has been serving as interim principal.

Last week, Hamilton announced that she has begun proceedings to fire both women who have been on administrative leave. Also, Assistant Superintendent Michael Fernandes offered to resign after he failed to notify authorities and Hamilton of information regarding the Watkins affair. It remains unclear whether Fernandes has followed through with that offer or whether Hamilton has accepted it.

The disciplinary fallout continues — the district’s human resources director Stephen Falcone is to be suspended for four weeks and that two Stamford High School security guards and a social worker also will be disciplined.

The Board of Education’s labor relations committee is scheduled to meet May 19 with an agenda that includes the hiring of a new school principal. The meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. in the Stamford Government Center board room.

Related stories:

• Jail Time for Ex-Stamford HS Teacher in Student Sex Case
• City Opens Investigation into Stamford High School Teacher Sex Scandal
• Stamford HS Administrators Seek Special Probation Program
• Stamford HS Administrators Plead Not Guilty
• Stamford Teacher Is Accused of Sexual Assault of Student
• Prosecutors May Seek Plea Deal in Stamford HS Teacher Sex Assault Case
• Stamford High Administrators Receive Probation
• Stamford Teacher’s Plea Deal Offer Includes Jail Time

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Photo: Stamford High School. Credit: Stamford Public Schools.