Stamford High School Assistant Principal Is Reassigned

The assistant principal of Stamford High School will serve a one-month unpaid suspension before she is transferred for one year to head the Stamford Public Schools continuing education program.

The disciplinary action against Angela Thomas-Graves is part of School Superintendent Winifred Hamilton’s decision not to pursue termination proceedings against Thomas-Graves, in the wake of the school’s teacher-student sex scandal. Hamilton also suspended Assistant Superintendent Michael Fernandes, who withdrew his letter of resignation.

Hamilton announced that decision on Monday night and on Tuesday night, she released the details of the action against Thomas-Graves.

The actions involving Thomas-Graves and Assistant Superintendent Michael Fernandes are part of the fallout from the Danielle Watkins case. Watkins, a former English teacher at the school, was convicted of sexual assault and marijuana possession in connection with her affair with an underage student. She was sentenced in March to five years in jail with five years suspended, 15 years probation, register with the sex offender registry for 10 years and was banned from contacting her victims until 2030.

Here is Hamilton’s statement released Tuesday night:

As announced yesterday, I am withdrawing my recommendation to move for the termination of Ms. Thomas-Graves. Instead, I recommend a one-month (20-day) suspension without pay and a one-year transfer to the role of Head Administrator, Adult and Continuing Education. We have posted this position for two consecutive years without success. Ms. Thomas-Graves brings a deep knowledge of Stamford and its communities as well as many years of experience here as an assistant principal. Therefore she is an ideal fit for this position.