Bellerose Parents Question Music Teacher's Abrupt Release

parents are seeking answers as to why a popular music teacher was suddenly placed on home leave May 19.

At Monday's Northport Board of Education meeting, Jenna Rugile asked why the district hadn't acknowledged performance by the Bellerose Avenue 5th grade chorus at New York State School Music Association May 18 at which they took home the top award.

That question led other parents to ask why classroom music and choral teacher Rebecca Posteraro was in the classroom on May 18, then gone the next day. Rugile said children were very upset, and parents received a short note without any explanation.

Posteraro, who taught in the district for three years after serving as a student teacher in Northport, declined to comment instead referring questions to her attorneys at Forchelli Law.  While on home leave, she will be paid through the end of the school year.

On the advice of district counsel Mary Anne Sadowski of Ingerman Smith, Superintendent Marylou McDermott declined to give specifics, saying only that such actions are taken “with very careful consideration. To say anything more is inappropriate.”

McDermott said that she goes "by the judgment of professionals who are supervising that individual.” Bellerose principal is Barbara Falotico and the district's Director of Music is Izzet Mergen.

Parents continued to press, saying what little they had been told was creating speculation and rumors. Pete Manetti acknowledged that certain things need to be discussed in executive session but said “I would suggest that you discuss as much as you can in public.”

Monica Greenwood said the whole matter hadn’t been handled well.

Support for Posteraro, who was up for tenure this year, wasn’t limited to the board meeting. Northport Patch received several emails from praising her.

"In February, she fell and broke her leg opening night of the school play," said Becky Wallis. "Even though she was in pain she carried on with the play so not to upset the kids. She was an amazing teacher and really went over and above for the kids."

McDermott said she would be willing to talk about the reasons as to why people may or may not be coming back to the district. The format for such a meeting, however, was up for discussion.

Sadowski said McDermott and the board could meet with parents, but only to hear comments. “It would not be appropriate to have a discussion back and forth," she said.

UTN president Antoinette Blanck expressed concern that the matter might be discussed publicly. “I respect everyone’s right to be heard. The concern here is that privacy and confidentiality be maintained," Blanck said.

Posteraro taught at Northport Middle School for one year, then moved to Bellerose. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in vocal performance from SUNY Purchase in addition to a Masters Degree in music education from Long Island University.

Northport Patch will continue to follow this story.