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Friday, June 4, 2021
Vol. 9, No. 23
HOME, DESIGN AND GARDEN
PORT WOMAN TO OPPOSE COUNTY POLICE GET DERIGGI-WHITTON BODY CAMERAS, MONEY
PAGES 25-32
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Board names Passi acting schools chief Administrator to lead district as Butera takes unspecified leave BY S A M U E L E PETRUCCELLI AND ROSE WELDON The Manhasset Board of Education has appointed administrator Gaurav Passi to serve as acting superintendent while Superintendent Vincent Butera is on leave. The move, effective immediately, was made at a brief meeting last Friday addressing personnel changes. Passi’s appointment follows revelations that Butera had been accused of sexual harassment by a former teacher at Shelter Rock Elementary School, who cited frequent classroom visits and two unwelcome hugs from the superintendent in a complaint made last fall. An investigation found that Butera had violated district policy by making the teacher uncomfortable. Shortly after that, the board announced that Butera would go on leave, though it is unclear
whether the action was voluntary or mandated. A resolution to accept Butera’s leave, effective May 13, was also listed on the agenda of the board’s Friday meeting. It was not specified whether Butera will return in the fall. Passi came to Manhasset in 2019 and has served as assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction for the last two school years. In a release that year announcing his appointment, Butera praised the administrator. “He shares our focus and commitment to providing all students a rich academic program and expansive opportunities while nurturing each student’s social and emotional well-being,” Butera said at the time. “We are pleased to welcome him to Manhasset.” School board President Patricia Aitken said at the Friday meeting that Passi’s possession of a school district administrator certiContinued on Page 55
PHOTO VIA INSTAGRAM
Members of the Manhasset-Lakeville Fire Department line up prior to the Memorial Day Parade in Manhasset.
Whitney Pond Park among pools to open BY R O S E W E L D ON
Outdoor pool facilities at Manorhaven Beach Park, MarThe Town of North Hemp- tin “Bunky” Reid Park in New stead pools will be open for Cassel, Whitney Pond Park in the summer season with CO- Manhasset and Clinton G. MarVID-19 precautions, the town tin Park in New Hyde Park will reopen in June, while the pool announced.
at Great Neck’s Harbor Hills Park opened on Saturday, officials said. “With temperatures on the rise and summer underway, we are so excited to see the Continued on Page 41
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