Calls for Chappaqua School Resignations Intensify in Sex Abuse Case

By Anna Young

Chappaqua residents charged Tuesday evening that school district officials were neglectful for failing to take action against the disgraced former high school drama teacher while some called for the resignations of Superintendent Dr. Lyn McKay and board president.

Numerous community members demanded at the Sept. 27 Chappaqua Board of Education meeting that a thorough investigation be launched on district protocol, practices and procedures to better understand how Christopher Schraufnagel was permitted to engage in inappropriate activity with students for so long.

Parents in the standing-room-only crowd at Robert E. Bell Middle School also sought answers on how to prevent a similar episode from happening again.

District PTA President Beth Dalrymple said an independent audit that would report to a special task force of community members is how the district will emerge stronger and more united.

“If such an investigation establishes a pattern of neglect, then I would ask not only for resignations, but possible criminal proceedings against anyone who failed to take action to thoroughly investigate any claims about these incidents,” said George Benack, a teacher in the district for 25 years.

Benack said he doesn’t blame anyone else for Schraufnagel’s actions but acknowledged coming forward prior to his June 2015 suspension with concerns regarding the teacher. However, his concerns were ignored, he said.

“I’m not asking for anyone’s resignation yet,” Benack said. “Before we take that aggressive action, I want to know who knew, what they knew, when did they know and what they did about it.”

Schraufnagel pleaded guilty in August to three counts of endangering the welfare of a child. He had been charged last year with seven counts, including a felony, for allegedly engaging in sexual, verbal and emotional abuse. Schraufnagel, who had taught at the school for 12 years, was suspended with pay in June 2015 and resigned last September.

Outraged resident Will Wedge said McKay and Board of Education President Alyson Gardner should resign immediately.

Despite the emotional reaction toward McKay, parent Laurie Warshowfsky was part of a small group who found calls for McKay’s resignation disturbing. She said it would be a huge mistake because McKay has done nothing wrong.

Her defense of McKay was received with loud booing, although there was some light applause.

“The administration went out of their way to provide counselors who were available all summer,” Warshowfsky said. “If you hear they were not available or didn’t communicate, it’s not true.”

One Chappaqua parent said she called the counseling center several times over the summer, and recorded a conversation where she was told no counselors would be available during summer vacation.

Before the board opened the floor to public comments, Vice President Victoria Tipp said it was useful to bring the district’s policy regarding sexual abuse, harassment, drug use and the students’ bill of rights to the community’s attention.

“The policies sound fantastic,” parent Jules Buxbaum said. “So why were students abused in our school for years?”

Other parents agreed with the statement, saying the administration failed the students by not upholding the policy that was designed to protect students.

The board remained quiet during the public’s comments, responding to unrelated topics. McKay only spoke about upcoming activities.

After hearing the many questions and concerns, Tipp comforted the community, stating how the administration agrees that a private investigation is necessary and is in the works.

She complimented the public, saying the feedback is important and must continue so school officials can help.

Following Tipp’s remarks, the board was quick to close the meeting’s public comment period and move on with the agenda despite parents still wanting to speak.