Chappaqua Residents, School Trustees Mad about Legal Filing, PR Firm

Anger in Chappaqua has swelled against the school district as six students pursue lawsuits alleging sex abuse at the hands of a former drama teacher.

Among the legal accusations against teacher Christopher Schraufnagel are that he engaged students in games with sexual overtones, inappropriate touching, and alcohol and drug use. Among the accusations against the district are that officials had received but not acted on an early complaint against the former drama teacher.

Among the accusations thrown at the district by community residents at meetings and on social media is that they are not being "transparent" enough about the process.

Stoking the flames is a filing made by the district's lawyers that appeared to blame the students for the situations they described in their lawsuits.

School Trustee Jeffrey Mester posted a statement on 10514 Musings, a community blog, criticizing the filing and expressing concern that school officials are not being as forthcoming as they could be about the legal proceedings connected to the lawsuits against the district.

While I know that filing to be legally appropriate and much more nuanced than what was reported, it was inappropriate in its form. While I am not a lawyer, common sense and good judgement says that it certainly could have been worded differently to both protect our legal position and reflect that our focus always has been and always will be on supporting our students whether that support is academic or emotional. To be clear, while I am quite confident the administration and my fellow Board Members feel the same way, I can only speak for myself that I do not believe it is appropriate to blame a victim of abuse, alleged or proven.

Anger has cascaded, and members of the community and the school board are also upset that a PR firm has been hired. Vice President Victoria Tipp criticized that move at the Board of Education's Sept. 1 meeting as residents posed questions, according to the Chappaqua Daily Voice.

Mester also expressed concern in his Sept. 2 blog post, which has been discussed extensively and critically on a New Castle community Facebook page.

This board has historically been very successful because of our collaborative nature. We don’t always agree, but we have always discussed issues, courses of action, and strategy openly among us as a group and come to consensus. I am making this statement today because I am quite concerned that we continue this practice.
A PR firm was recently re-hired by our attorneys at the district’s request. To be honest, I am not sure exactly to whom I refer when I say “at the district’s request”. I do know that I was not consulted, and I did not have a say in the decision. To be clear, my concern is not in the legality of the hiring but in the process or lack thereof. I think it important that all board members have an opportunity to go on the public record as to their thoughts.

Mester also said that school trustees have asked to see all legal filings before they're made, but that they have not been shown them.

In related criminal proceedings, Schraufnagel has pleaded guilty to three misdemeanor counts of endangering the welfare of a child in a plea deal entered in New Castle town court and agreed to by his accusers.

He had originally been charged by police with one count of third-degree criminal sex act, a felony; plus two counts of endangering the welfare of a child and four counts of third-degree sexual abuse, all misdemeanors.

The plea deal still must be reviewed and formally OK'd by the judge. Schraufnagel is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 10.

Schraufnagel was placed on paid leave in June 2015 during an investigation into his interaction with students. He resigned at the beginning of the school year, in September. He had taught speech and theater for 12 years at Horace Greeley High School.

SEE:

• Plea Deal for Former Chappaqua Drama Teacher Accused by Students
• Chappaqua School District Attorneys Say Students to Blame for Abuse By Ex-Drama Teacher
• UPDATE: Greeley Drama Teacher on Leave Since June Resigns

PHOTO: Christopher Schraufnagel

Editor's Note: the original version of this article omitted the hyperlink to 10514 Musings. Patch regrets the error.