Letters

I am writing in response to Desiree Keegan’s article regarding the Westhampton Beach teacher filing a lawsuit against the district [“Westhampton Beach Teacher Filing Lawsuit Alleging District Segregated Failing Special Education Students, Inflated Their Grades,” 27east.com, August 22].

I want to thank Justin Mattera for the courage and strength it takes to stand up for our students. I greatly appreciate that he was willing to put his own position as a teacher in the district in jeopardy, to fight for the legal rights of our students who require supportive learning environments.

There has been much documentation of the long-standing battles that parents and teachers have experienced in trying to do what he is doing. Unfortunately, we have an extremely resistant administration, director of pupil personnel services and School Board.

The Westhampton Beach School District recently posted on its Facebook page the achievement of being named, again, as a Scholar Athlete School of Excellence by the New York State Public High School Athletic Association. I get that the district is proud of these awards, and of the prestigious and Ivy League schools that their graduates are accepted to every year. I am proud of these awards, and the students, parents and teachers who worked hard to make it all happen as well.

But there is a dark and disgraceful side of the Westhampton Beach School District that has been evident for years, and the district refuses to admit it exists, as they would then be legally bound to address it.

There are hundreds of students who have been, and continue to be, educationally neglected and even harmed over the years because the district prefers to be known as the school that receives the accolades instead of the school that serves all of its students equitably.

I had a teacher who is now retired, and whom I still will not name because the district’s retaliation continues; this teacher told me directly what my student needed but would not state on record the same information in the Committee on Special Education meeting, for fear of retribution.

I was shocked. “But you are tenured, the most experienced and educated in your field on this aspect of fundamental education … Would the district really do that?”

The teacher replied, “Yes, I have seen it happen. You are pulled out of the classroom and stuck in an office somewhere. I am too passionate about teaching these children, and I can’t let that happen.”

Wow!

And look at what is happening to Mr. Mattera currently. He and our students are being punished because he cared enough to speak out.

To the Westhampton Beach School District: The time is past where you can pick and choose which type of student that you provide a decent education to, and punish teachers who try to compassionately educate all.

Mary Alyce Rogers, LCSW-R

Westhampton