Chappaqua Sex Scandal: Schools Chief Resigns

CHAPPAQUA, NY — School Superintendent Lyn McKay has resigned, the latest wrinkle since the district's high school sex abuse scandal morphed into a raging controversy over leadership.

Her resignation for the purpose of retirement was announced in an email to parents on Monday, according to news reports.

A vocal group of community members has been howling for her ouster for months, including protests outside the administration building and disruptive school board meetings, as the angst over the sex abuse scandal swelled into anger against the school district.

Seven students are pursuing 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.

Also among the accusations thrown at the district by community residents at meetings and on social media is that it was not being "transparent" enough about the process. Stoking the flames was a filing made by the district's lawyers that appeared to blame the students for the situations they described in their lawsuits — a standard move in a negligence suit. Furious anyway, residents demanded to know which district officials had signed off on the filing.

In September, McKay said she had done so.

McKay had been with the district since 2003. She was tapped for the superintendent's job in 2011.

Her contract runs till June 30, 2018. Assistant Superintendent Eric Byrne will take the helm during the replacement search.

Read her and the board's resignation announcements on the Chappaqua Daily Voice.

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:

• Chappaqua School District Attorneys Say Students to Blame for Abuse By Ex-Drama Teacher
• UPDATE: Greeley Drama Teacher on Leave Since June Resigns
• New Suit Says Chappaqua Officials Knew of Problem
• Judge Rejects Ex-Chappaqua Teacher's Plea Deal
• Chappaqua School District Attorneys Say Students to Blame for Abuse By Ex-Drama Teacher

PHOTO/ Patch archive