Mahopac community expresses concerns after Board of Education president steps down
The Board of Education decided to leave Jonathan Schneider's, former Board President, seat vacant for the next two months until the election.
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The Mahopac community expressing concerns after the Board of Education president resigned.
The Board of Education decided to leave Jonathan Schneider's former board president's seat vacant for the next two months until the election.
Schneider stepped down earlier this month after being on the board for over two years.
"I think that says a lot," says Melissa Reardon, a Mahopac resident. "It speaks volumes for the community."
Schneider told News 12 this wasn't an easy decision.
"It was just seeing the way, again, that parent's concerns were being addressed or not addressed...The way that we have seen things done that should not have been done," says Schneider.
Schneider also wrote an op-ed in a local newspaper criticizing the superintendent and Board of Education.
"It would take a lot of effort to try to get information that should be free flowing," he says.
Christine Tona, Mahopac Central School District's superintendent, was not available for an interview before Thursday's work session meeting.
But she wrote a letter to the community in response, commending Schneider for his time on the board and his leadership:
"I respect Jonathan's service to the District as well as his service to our country and acknowledge his concerns," the letter says in part. "My responsibility as superintendent is to provide well-reasoned recommendations that comply with policy and law. The board’s role is to accept, reject, or amend those recommendations through respectful, evidence-based discussions."
The community says Schneider's shoes will be big ones to fill and his resignation is raising concerns.
"If he resigns in protest, what does that say for the average person, the lay person going out for the board to try to make a difference," says James Scarangella, a parent.
"My heart sank when I heard the news. I was like is it really true?" says Kimberly Penzetta, a parent.
The election is on May 20, and petitions have to be in with the district clerk by April 21.
