UPDATE: School Superintendent Reverses Decision on Removing Stamford School Administrators

Update: 5:30 p.m.
The termination of two of the Stamford Public School administrators because of their roles in the Stamford High School teacher-student sex scandal is no longer being pursued by school Superintendent Winifred Hamilton.

In an announcement Monday evening, Hamilton said the decision not to terminate Assistant Stamford High Principal Angela Thomas-Graves and to ask Assistant Superintendent Michael Fernandes to rescind his resignation because of “an outpouring of support from administrators, teachers, parents, and students for both ...”

The actions against the two is 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.

Hamilton cited the Thomas-Graves and Fernandes’s “exemplary” careers as a factor in the decision. She said in her announcement, it would be “a major loss to the district for either of them to leave.”

The Watkins case led to a city investigation that concluded that some school administrators did not heed warnings and reported suspicions that the Watkins affair was ongoing. Two high school administrators, Principal Donna Valentine and Nordin Roth have been removed from their positions and the district is seeking to terminate them. Both are serving a special form of probation following their arrests on a charge they failed to notify the state or police of the suspected affair, as required by state law.

Here is Hamilton’s entire statement:

Over the past few weeks I have received an outpouring of support from administrators, teachers, parents, and students for both Angela Thomas-Graves and Michael Fernandes, including at the May BOE meeting. As superintendent, I have always listened carefully to those who have come forward to express themselves and, when possible, addressed their concerns in a positive way in order to do what’s best for Stamford’s students.

I recognize there will always be varying opinions on each issue, but after considerable ongoing reflection, discussion, and deliberation, including weighing the level of culpability of these two individuals in this matter, against their otherwise exemplary and long-standing careers in Stamford—24 years for Ms. Thomas-Graves and 15 years for Dr. Fernandes—I believe it would be a major loss to the district for either of them to leave.

I have asked Dr. Fernandes to rescind his resignation, which he has already done. As such, he will also be required to serve a one-month (20-day) suspension without pay. He will continue in his current role as Assistant Superintendent—Secondary.

I have reconsidered and am withdrawing my recommendation to move for the termination of Ms. Thomas-Graves. We currently have an agreement in principle with Angela Thomas-Graves that she will not be terminated. I will share more details regarding the specifics of her employment as soon as they are available.

Related stories:

• 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

Update: 5:10 p.m.

Stamford School Superintendent Winifred Hamilton said that she will no longer pursue termination proceedings against Assistant Stamford High School Principal Angela Thomas-Graves.

Hamilton said in a statement, “We currently have an agreement in principle with Angela Thomas-Graves that she will not be terminated. I will share more details regarding the specifics of her employment as soon as they are available.”

Hamilton also said in her announcement that Assistant School Superintendent Michael Fernandes has rescinded his resignation at her request. He will serve an unpaid 20-day suspension.

Original story: 5:06 p.m.

In a surprise announcement Monday evening, Stamford School Superintendent Winifred Hamilton said that she has reversed decisions that would lead to the termination of an assistant Stamford High School principal and the resignation of an assistant school superintendent.

The pending administrative actions were the result of the sex scandal involving former high school English teacher Danielle Watkins who has been convicted off sexual assault for her ongoing relationship with an underage student in the 2013-14 school year.

Check back for updates on this breaking news story.