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Friday, April 29, 2022
Vol. 7, No. 17
Port WashingtonTimes MOTHER’S DAY GIFTS & DINING
MANORHAVEN MAN ARRESTED
SUOZZI $1M GRANT FOR TOWN BEACH
PAGES 29-36
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Butera says his behavior ‘professional’
NIGHT MOVES
Ex-Manhasset superintendent defends actions in letter to Blank Slate Media BY B R A N D ON D U FF Y Former Manhasset Superintendent Vincent Butera said in a letter to the community he was not aware interactions he called part of his daily responsibilities were perceived “as anything less than completely professional.” Butera wrote to Blank Slate Media an op-ed giving his perspective on the complaint involving sexual harassmentand subsequent investigation two years ago that ended in his resignation from the district. “It has always been my intent to demonstrate care and kindness in my personal and professional interactions,” Butera said. “Those who know me know that had I been made aware, I would have responded immediately and appropriately.” In September 2020, a Shelter Rock Elementary School teacher filed a complaint alleging that Butera made her feel uncomfortable after hugging her twice in school and frequently visiting her classroom to “just stand in the back and stare,” according to NBC News. Both incidents were described as “creepy.” Following Butera’s voluntary leave, the school district appointed Gaurav Passi to serve as interim su-
perintendent in August, a position he remains in. After that filing, the district hired the law office of Shaw, Perelson, May & Lambert to investigate the allegations. Two months later, the firm found that since Butera’s actions were perceived as unwelcome by the teacher, they were against district policy. Blank Slate Media tried to obtain a document outlining the law firm’s findings through a public-records request in May, but Rosemary Johnson, deputy superintendent for business and operations, declined to release it, citing the district’s attorney-client privilege and saying the record’s disclosure would “result in an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.” Johnson issued an impassioned defense of Butera at a school board meeting last year. She called Butera an educational visionary with an unblemished career, arguing that a personnel change had led to Butera’s sexual harassment scandal. The Manhasset Board of Education unanimously approved a separation agreement with Butera during a special meeting in February. At the time, Butera was on paid administrative leave since May 2021 Continued on Page 46
PHOTO COURTESY OF PORT WASHINGTON ATHLETICS/INSTAGRAM
The Port Washington Lacrosse team came back to defeat MacArthur last week.
PortFest returning after two-year delay from COVID BY R OB E RT PE L A E Z
PW, was last held in May 2019, with more than 1,000 peninsula resiAfter a two-year delay caused by dents showing up at Schreiber High the coronavirus pandemic, PortFest School’s Seeber Field to support the will be returning to promote the cre- arts. The not-for-profit community ative arts throughout the peninsula organization uses fundraisers and events, such as PortFest, to promote May 15. The event, presented by HEARTS art, music and the creative spirit
throughout the peninsula, primarily in its public schools. Proceeds raised at the PortFest event fund HEARTS PW grants that advance the artistic endeavors of students across the Port Washington school district. Continued on Page 46
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