NEW ROCHELLE, NY — A senior City School District of New Rochelle administrator has been reassigned as the district investigates allegations of misconduct, sources say.
Sources say New Rochelle School District Assistant Superintendent for Business Gregory W. Kern is “Reassigned Outside of the School” pending an investigation into charges of Creating a Hostile Work Environment, Discrimination, and Insubordination, according to those familiar with the matter.
“While we cannot comment on specifics of personnel matters, Mr. Kern is working remotely, at this time, and is continuing to fulfill his duties and responsibilities,” said a District spokesperson.
An employee who is Reassigned Outside of the School continues to be paid but is barred from school grounds.
Kern is among the most highly paid public-sector employees in Westchester County. In 2021, he has so far earned $233,525 according to See Through NY.
Although the investigation has been a closely guarded secret, more than a half-dozen district employees have reportedly been interviewed.
Kern’s six-week unexplained absence from City Hall has gone largely unnoticed by his colleagues. His absence is perhaps less noticeable after almost two years of remote learning/work environments due to COVID-19, where Zoom meetings have so often replaced in-person meetings.
Action on the investigation may soon be forthcoming.
The New Rochelle Board of Education will make a Motion to go immediately into Executive Session on December 21 at 6:00 p.m. to meet with District Counsel and to “discuss the employment history of particular persons, which may lead to the appointment, promotion, demotion, discipline, suspension, dismissal, or removal of a particular person.”
The secrecy surrounding Kern’s reassignment in November 2021 stands in stark contrast to the last high-profile reassignment of a school district employee in November 2019.
In November 2019, two school employees were “Reassigned Outside of the School”.
Dr. Laura Feijóo held a heavily attended press conference at City Hall to announce her decision to reassign one of them, Head Football Coach Lou DiRienzo. At the press conference, she disclosed there was an ongoing investigation, she said the investigation would be thorough, but she pointedly refused to provide details on what led up to her decision to reassign the Hall of Fame coach days before the start of the New York State football playoffs (the team went on to win the AA state championship without DiRienzo who resigned soon after).
Tony Aiello of CBS2News asked why Dr. Feijóo sent an email to the school community which identified DiRienzo by name before she determined he did what he was alleged to have done.
“I think when you are in a circumstance where you are reassigning someone, that’s a significant piece of information that should be shared with the community…just the reassignment… it makes it serious… I think reassignment of a staff member, especially someone so prominent…rises to the level to let parents and community members know…it is the reason for this press conference… reassignment is pretty significant to me…
When Aiello asked if the school community could more such announcements in the future, Feijóo said, “if it escalates to the point of reassignment, you can expect it…if it escalates to the point of reassignment, I think its only fair the community are aware.”
This reporter asked Feijóo for a definition of “Reassigned Outside of the School”.
She said an employee who has been “Reassigned Outside of the School” cannot come to the school or attend to their regular schedule, but they continue to be paid. She agreed that the employee is effectively banned from school grounds.
Kern reports directly to New Rochelle Schools Superintendent Jonathan P. Raymond, suggesting the Insubordination charge involves Raymond.
Talk of the Sound has had its issues with Kern’s repeated, lengthy stonewalling of our Freedom of Information requests.
Kern was appointed to his current position in 2019. His three-year contract expires in 2022.
Kern came to New Rochelle from the Newburgh Enlarged City School District, a position he had held since 2016.
At the time of his hiring, then-Interim Superintendent Dr. Magda Parvey described Kern as “an excellent fit for New Rochelle”.
Then-Board of Education President Amy Moselhi said she expected Kern to “continue the District’s efforts to maximize value for our taxpayers while also prioritizing education for our students”.
“I am excited to come to the City School District of New Rochelle and join this leadership team,” said Kern in 2109. “I am eager to get started and support the District’s efforts to remain fiscally sensitive while providing great educational value for our students.”
New rochelle really knows how to pick them. Another one bites the dust.