Ex-Teacher Remorseful about Abusing Chappaqua Students

CHAPPAQUA, NY — At a court appearance Tuesday, Christopher Schraufnagel apologized to his former students and the whole Horace Greeley High School community. The ex-teacher, whose interactions with his drama students included games with sexual overtones, inappropriate touching, and alcohol and drug use, read from a prepared statement as he expressed remorse, according to news reports.

Formal sentencing will wait till he has completed sex and substance abuse therapy, according to the Daily Voice. Sentencing has also been delayed as he undergoes treatment for cancer, according to The Journal News.

Schraufnagel pleaded guilty in November (after the first plea deal was rejected by the judge) to one misdemeanor-level count of sexual abuse and two misdemeanor-level counts of endangering the welfare of a child. The deal calls for him to serve two probation sentences of two years and three years concurrently, register as a sex offender, and be subject to monitoring.

He (and the district) still face civil suits brought by students and parents.

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

SEE ALSO:

• Chappaqua Sex Scandal: Schools Chief Resigns
• Chappaqua School District Attorneys Say Students to Blame
• New Suit Says Chappaqua Officials Knew of Problem
• Chappaqua Residents, School Trustees Mad about Legal Position