A physical education teacher at C. A. Bouton High School was suspended for 60 days without pay by the Voorheesville Central School District for four charges of misconduct, insubordination and conduct unbecoming a teacher.
Robert Crandall, 54, a tenured teacher, stood accused of charges stemming from incidents in the 2002-2003 and 2003-2004 school years. Crandall’s suspension began Oct. 21.
The case was ruled upon by hearing officer Ronald Kowalski, in accordance with education law.
According to a report detailing the case from the state education department’s division of employer-employee relations, it was Kowalski’s opinion that this discipline should make (Crandall) aware of the severity of his misconduct and hopefully recognize that if such misconduct occurs again it would likely lead to his dismissal from service.
In September 2003, high school principal Mark Diefendorf, initiated an investigation of Crandall. The focus of the inquiry was an incident that took place that same month, during which Crandall allegedly asked a male student: `Who is that hot (sexy) blond you’re running with?`
The comment was made in reference to, and in the presence of, a 10th grade female while she and the other student were running on the track during class.
According to the hearing’s report, Crandall did acknowledge that he made a remark on that date, but said he did not remember exactly what he said. According to Crandall’s defense, the district failed to sustain the allegations and neither student involved was called to testify.
Crandall could not be reached for comment.
Although the exact wording of the phrase was unclear, the hearing officer, in his ruling said that testimony established that the remark was `of a nature (Crandall) had been counseled in the past to avoid with students.`
In March 2004, it was reported that Crandall was accused of making another inappropriate comment.
According to the report, while collecting information about students, Crandall asked a female ninth grade student where she lived, and after she asked why, Crandall responded something to the effect of: `So I can follow you home and come to your house and murder you in your sleep.`
The position of Crandall, a teacher in the school district since 1978, was that the comment was not meant as a threat but a `bit of sarcasm.`
When the girl’s parents became aware of Crandall’s alleged comments, the district was contacted and Crandall and the girl’s parents met. Following the meeting, her parents sent a letter to the superintendent. In June 2004, the board of education voted to bring charges against Crandall, and in June 2005 additional charges were added and then consolidated.
The additional charges that led to Crandall’s suspension stemmed from his alleged retaliation against two students in 2003 who had filed complaints against him in 2001. Both students said that in 2003, Crandall took retaliatory action that included treating them differently from other students in the class, and questioning or making comments to the students about the prior complaints. Following the initial 2001 complaints, Crandall had been given a directive not to retaliate against the students.
A fifth charge against Crandall was not upheld by the hearing officer.
According to Superintendent Linda Langevin, any charge that is not upheld cannot be discussed.
Crandall had been counseled in the past for a variety of reasons.
According to the hearing report, in 1994, Crandall was counseled for walking out of a conference, and in 2001 he was counseled for `slapping students on the bottom.` In February 2003, he was issued a letter of reprimand for allowing the boys junior varsity basketball team to swim in the pool before it was open.
Additionally, he had been counseled verbally and in writing concerning inappropriate comments to students.
`Hence, while termination may not be appropriate under a just cause standard, progressive discipline clearly warrants suspension without pay,` wrote Kowalski, in his determination. `Mr. Crandall has over 28 years of service and has performed his duties generally well, but (Crandall) must learn that certain remarks and behavior are inappropriate with students.`
`We are pleased that after a full hearing, Mr. Crandall has been held responsible for his conduct,` said board of education president David Gibson. `The board is sincerely appreciative of the students and families who brought their concerns to our attention. We recognize the difficulties faced by those students during this lengthy process.`
It was the position of the school district that the alleged misconduct warranted termination as a penalty.
Langevin said that she hoped for dismissal not only because of the allegations but also because Crandall had been repeatedly counseled in the past.
According to Kowalski’s determination, testimony heard in the hearing from psychiatrist Steven Kondrick and psychologist Frederick Smith stated that, based on testing of Crandall, he is unlikely to change his behavior in the future. Rebuttal testimony given by Dr. Robert McCaffrey said that Crandall does not suffer from any psychiatric pathology that makes him prone to misconduct.
Langevin said she was not at liberty to discuss her opinion on whether or not Crandall would be likely to offend again, but said she would remain focused on the children’s welfare upon Crandall’s return.
`I’m very concerned with making sure the kids are safe,` said Langevin. `I think the most important thing to the board and I is that the children remain safe upon Mr. Crandall’s return.`
According to Langevin, discussions are being held between her and the board as to what Crandall’s role would be when he returned, and in how to limit contact between Crandall and students.
`It’s not necessary for us to move him back into a teaching assignment fully,` she said.
Langevin would not comment on when Crandall would be eligible for retirement.
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