Community Corner

County DA Investigates Rye Teacher's Alleged Cheating

 The Westchester County District Attorney’s office received an official letter outlining the accusations made against Rye City School District teachers on May 28 and are now investigating the matter, according to DA spokesman Lucian Chalfen.

Elementary school teachers are accused of providing “improper coaching” to a small group of students during school assessments in April, according to a press release from the school district that announced the district’s own investigation. On May 7, the day after receiving the complaint, the district filed a report with the State Education Department and began its own investigation. The district reassigned two elementary school teachers from Osborn School and one from Milton School due to the ongoing investigation, according to the May press release.

 Patch readers have posted that the teachers went around the classroom and told some students that they had the wrong answers several times until only the right answer remained.

Patch reader Meg T wrote:

 This incident hurts because it goes against the grain of what we value most and teach our children in Rye about being honest. We trust our teachers in this small community. Teachers are responsible for being good, honest leaders and role models. This is a sad time for our Rye schools and for the children that unknowingly were taken advantage of by their teacher for personal gain.

 School officials did not return several calls or emails regarding the accusations, reassignments or investigation. It is unclear if the district is continuing its own investigation into the matter at this time. The Westchester DA’s office would not comment further on the allegations.


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