Letters

I believe Christopher Walsh showed what’s happening at Amagansett School [“In Hearing, Suspended Amagansett Principal Accused of Theft,” 27east.com, August 14], with the hearing involving Maria Dorr unraveling before us. It appears that a principal was removed for another’s upward mobility. Let us remember, Michael Rodgers had, to the best of our knowledge, no authority to view the surveillance cameras at the school. Yet, he was the one with times on it. This is good knowledge to know as future events will unfold.

Richard Loeschner only existed at the school because Seth Turner had resigned in October, allegedly a push made by the School Board. His contract would have expired at the end of the school year.

Last year, Rodgers would hold court with a “select” group of parents at Amber Waves after an incident at the school. A member of the School Safety Committee was rumored to be sharing confidential information with the public. One of those parents was Robin Jahoda, now a board member and supporter of Rodgers.

Loeschner signed and dated his contract as September 2023. Loeschner was Brentwood’s superintendent. Took his oath in July 2023 and by late July was flanked by Amagansett School attorney Sophia Terrassi to say he is retiring by September 30. Eighteen days later, in October, he is here in Amagansett. Seems the fix was in.

Rodgers only became an acting principal (along with two others) because a February resolution proclaimed Richard Loeschner would be both interim superintendent and principal. The need to fill the position? The Loeschner contract only required him to be at school four days a week. He must have given himself a nice four-day vacation from December 15 to his return on the December 19. Cassie Butts would put in her retirement papers by January 9, 2024, and be gone by February 27. She was in the hearing, day two.

A red envelope at Christmastime. Shell Christmas gift cards are red, too. A flimsy reason to pay a principal and keep them home, one who allegedly expressed interest in becoming superintendent after the Seth Turner resignation and buyout. But the gym teacher seems to have friends on the School Board. They are more than willing to pay an individual in excess of $400,000, which includes salary, benefits, retirement and a home to live in next to the school, who needs to have, by a July resolution, Loeschner stick around and be paid to “train” him.

We are watching the dismantling of a Blue Ribbon School, as the School Board hires a man with no experience, no authorization to view cameras, making accusations against Dorr, who most people don’t know replaced him as district data coordinator.

Smells rotten, Amagansett School Board. Still here.

Joe Karpinski

Amagansett