School official targeted by activist group

BY ROBERT PELAEZ

An email to Manhasset School District officials called for an investigation into the assistant superintendent for curriculum after he made statements to a journalist associated with the farright Project Veritas site about diversity, equity and inclusion.

The email, signed by “Manhasset Parents.” was sent from the email address “ManhassetParents@proton.me.” Efforts to reach the sender’s to verify their identity were unavailing.

Donald Gately, who was hired by the district in 2022 to also oversee instruction and personnel, is the cofounder of EdCamp Long Island, described on its website as “a grassroots, teacher-led event that brings together educators from across the region to share their ideas and expertise.”

In a Project Veritas video released March 13, Gately said teachers now have kids with some parents that are “extremely conservative and rightwing.”

“Now you’re gonna have people make — they’re gonna connect politics to DEI work,” Gately continued.

Project Veritas is a right-wing group that has gained notoriety for recording undercover videos and releasing deceptively edited versions of them. The organization’s founder, James O’Keefe, known for targeting left-wing officials and groups, left his post in February.

The email called for the school district to launch an investigation into Gately and for him to be placed on leave until the probe is finished.

“We request that the Board of Trustees promptly place Dr. Gately on leave until the investigation is complete,” according to the email. “As you know, the board has a legal and fiduciary obligation to investigate this matter and we therefore respectfully request your immediate attention.”

Superintendent Gaurav Passi, in a March 17 letter to the Manhasset community, said parental input about curriculum is welcomed by the school district and that classroom instruction is outlined in Board of Education meetings archived on the district’s YouTube page.

“The district’s commitment has been and always will be on partnering with parents to cultivate a safe learning environment where students become independent thinkers who employ critical reasoning skills, work collaboratively, respect each other’s individuality, and embody integrity, honesty, empathy and compassion,” Passi said.

Passi said a majority of conversations surrounding students’ education and instruction are resolved at the

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