Cox Out As Superintendent Of Clarkstown Schools

CLARKSTOWN, NY — The Clarkstown Board of Education has parted ways with beleaguered Superintendent Martin Cox, going into a closed session before the board meeting Tuesday night and coming out to approve a separation agreement and appoint Jeff Sobel, assistant superintendent for personnel, as the acting interim head of the district.

"We remain confident that a new superintendent for our district will be in place for the start of the 2022-23 academic year," they said in an email to parents.

The action wasn't entirely a secret: News 12 Hudson Valley reported Tuesday morning that the board was expected to oust Cox during the executive session.

The separation agreement was apparently hammered out last week.

The trustees wrote to the community, "We thank Dr. Cox for his service to the Clarkstown Central school district over the last five years and wish him much success in his future endeavors."

In the meantime, they said, they and district administration officials are focused on working with the community on essential priorities "of keeping our students and staff safe; closing the learning gap; addressing the social and emotional needs of our students, staff and parents; minimizing disruptions to in-person instruction; and, assuring a continuum of instruction for students in quarantine. We have allocated additional resources to address these priorities, with the objective of making certain that our students continue to receive the high-quality education for which Clarkstown is known."

Cox has been Superintendent of the Clarkstown Central School District since 2016. SEE: Clarkstown Appoints New School Superintendent

In the past year the district has been beset by controversies. By the time school started, parents were calling for Cox's ouster over such things as the starting date of the school year and the lack of districtwide air conditioning as well as the pandemic mask policy and the state's diversity, inclusion and equity initiative. SEE:

• Clarkstown Filled With Argument Over Student Slideshow
• Protest Over Masks Shuts Down Clarkstown BOE Meeting

Reaction to the news was mixed on social media. Patch reached out to school Board President Walter Litvak for comment but had not heard back by post time.