Dear members of the Board of Education and Dr. Melnick,

My colleagues and I stand before you tonight in support of Mr. Aaron Kozlowski an exceptional teacher, an admired coach and an extraordinary courageous man.  It is an honor for me to represent and speak on Aaron’s behalf tonight.  Regretfully, Aaron is not allowed to attend this meeting.

As Union President, one of my responsibilities is to attend all Board of Education meetings.  My colleagues and I have the utmost respect for all you do for the children of the North Shore school district and the local community.  But tonight, we attend this meeting discouraged and disappointed, not for any actions you have taken, but for your lack of action.  We are here tonight to request that Aaron Kozlowski be immediately reinstated as a teacher and coach in the North Shore School District.

In Aarons absence let me just give you a brief summary of the ordeal that this fine young man has been through over the past eight months.

Aaron’s Story

• Last school year on March 11th, Aaron Kozlowski a middle school physical education and health teacher, was falsely accused of inappropriate conduct by four, seventh grade students. That afternoon, Aaron and I were requested to attend a meeting held at the middle school Principals office.  At this meeting Aaron was accused of inappropriate conduct as a teacher in the North Shore School District.  Aaron and I were both shocked by the accusations and Aaron repeatedly denied the accusations being charged against him and repeatedly claimed his innocence.  He was told at this meeting that there was a preponderance of evidence backing up the students statements and that the evidence was also overwhelming.  He was given a choice of resigning or possibly being brought up on 3020-a charges also commonly known as a tenure hearing proceedings.  Aaron knew there was no preponderance or overwhelming evidence since the alleged incident never took place.  He was an innocent man, being falsely accused.  That afternoon Aaron was immediately placed on administrative reassignment by the Superintendent of Schools.

• The following day on March 12th, an e-mail message describing Aaron’s situation was distributed by Dr. Ferris the Middle School Principal.  The e-mail was sent to the entire Middle School Faculty and Staff and cc’d to twelve administrators.  Although the e-mail was sent with good intentions by Dr. Ferris to eliminate rumors that were quickly circulating, it sadly did just the opposite.  The e-mail went viral and instantly teachers in other buildings and local community members began thinking that Aaron was guilty of some type of misconduct. Perception became reality.  Let me repeat what I stated previously, Aaron is an innocent man, being falsely accused.  The e-mail mentioned and I quote that “Aaron was placed on Administrative Reassignment, pending a hearing related to several allegations that were made against him.”  President Berliner and fellow Trustees, I have been a teacher in this district for 30 years and I personally never remember at anytime an announcement to faculty and staff by administration that a specific employee was placed on administrative reassignment.  Although not its intent, this e-mail became nothing less than character assassination.

• As the school district continued its investigation, for some unknown reason the Nassau County District Attorney’s office got involved in the case and on April 12, 2013,  Aaron was arrested on charges of endangering the welfare of a child and had to spend the night in jail. I repeat again, Aaron is an innocent man, being falsely accused.

• After a comprehensive investigation by the District Attorney’s office, one of the four students recanted his statement, and two others refused to speak to the District Attorney throughout the entire length of the investigation.  After a forensic investigation of the school’s computer, as well as both Aaron and his wife’s personal computers, no evidence was found to support the claim.  On September 27, 2013, upon a complete and thorough investigation by the District Attorney’s office, three out of the four charges against Aaron were dismissed by Judge Alexander pursuant to New York State Criminal Procedure law in the interest of justice.  As to the fourth count, Judge Alexander granted an Adjournment in Contemplation of Dismissal (also known as an ACOD) effective immediately.  The probationary period which is normally associated with this dismissal was waived by Judge Alexander.  This means the case was automatically dismissed in the furtherance of justice, effective immediately.  The applicable law provides that an ACOD shall not be deemed a criminal conviction or an admission of any guilt.  Aaron was not found guilty of anything and upon the automatic dismissal of this matter, the entire arrest and prosecution was deemed a nullity by the Nassau County Judicial Court System.  All four counts against Aaron were dismissed, all restraining orders imposed against Aaron were also lifted, effective immediately.

• Despite the fact that all four counts were immediately dismissed by the Nassau County Judicial Court System, Aaron and his family have suffered immeasurable damage. The false accusations and his arrest were reported in Newsday and on local television news and radio stations.  Although innocent of all charges, he has been found guilty in the public’s eye.

 

President Berliner, fellow trustees of the Board of Education and Dr. Melnick, we all know you met in a closed door executive session to discuss Aaron’s case on Oct. 10th and also on the 15th.  You were scheduled to meet again this past Monday evening to continue your discussion but then cancelled that meeting.  My colleagues and I beseech you to bring this discussion to a conclusion and reinstate our falsely accused friend and colleague immediately. 

At this time, I would like to read and present to you a petition in support of Aaron signed by three hundred teachers, teaching assistants and secretaries in the North Shore School District.

Petition:
            We recognize the Board of Education’s obligation to fulfill its role in loco parentis as guardians of school safety. When a teacher is charged with harmful conduct it is the Board’s responsibility to investigate such charges within the parameters of due process.
            But when due process has been accorded, when all claims have been      investigated and dismissed by our judicial system, when all charges have been dropped, it is also the Board’s responsibility to publically exonerate that teacher and allow him to reenter his profession.
            Every day accused is a day convicted in the public’s mind. Every day that you refuse to reinstate our colleague heaps more damage on a person who has been falsely accused and publically humiliated without cause or substance.
            North Shore Schools Federated Employees calls upon this Board of Education to reinstate Aaron Kozlowski immediately. Allow
this outstanding young man to start repairing the damage to
his life and the life of his family. Show North Shore’s teachers,
 parents and students that this community stands for fairness
 and justice. 
 
In closing, I have two questions to ask all of you.  Hasn’t this gentleman and his family suffered enough?  Every day you do not reach a decision with regard to reinstating this fine young man as a teacher in the North Shore School District is another day of conviction to the public’s mind.

This scenario of false accusations could happen to anyone in this room, especially the teaching staff since we are surrounded by children all day long, all year long.  In the future will this Board of Education support its teachers if false accusations are made by a child against a teacher?

 President Berliner, fellow Trustees and Dr. Melnick, tonight Aaron’s colleagues and I plead with you to bring this matter to a quick resolution.  Please find it in your hearts and minds to reinstate Aaron Kozlowski as a teacher and coach in the North Shore School District, please do so expeditiously.

Aaron and his family have suffered enough.  Let this man of outstanding character return to his classroom and begin the process of rebuilding both his life and his career.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of Aaron Kozlowski and his North Shore Colleagues,

Bruce Fichtman
President
North Shore Schools Federated Employees