[WARNING: THE VIDEO ATTACHED TO THIS REPORT INCLUDES STRONG AND OFFENSIVE LANGUAGE. IT IS NOT APPROPRIATE FOR CHILDREN.]
Assemblywoman Ellen Jaffee became the latest local official to call for the East Ramapo School District to take strong action in the wake of attorney Chris Kirby's actions during and after a district board of education meeting earlier this week.
Kirby's profanity-filled tirade in the parking lot after the meeting has drawn calls from residents and public officials calling for him to be fired. Jaffee said the district should terminate its contract with the Long Island law firm Minerva & D'Agostino, which acts as outside legal counsel for the district, citing Kirby's actions and previous incidents involving Albert D'Agostino.
She made reference to D'Agostino directing profanity at a student on school property.
"This is the second incident where an attorney representing the East Ramapo Central School District used foul, demeaning language, in a public, setting, directed at members of the community," Jaffee said through a press release Friday. "I have already asked for the board to act on Mr. D'Agostino's reprehensible behavior--cursing at a student. Unfortunately swearing seems to be the modus operandi of this law firm.
"The ERCSD Board should terminate the contract with Minerva and D'Agostino now. They set a poor example for all of the students, public and private, in the East Ramapo district. Continuing the contract with this firm makes the ERCSD school board party to the inappropriate behavior of this firm and to the increasing tension in the community. In the end it's the students from all communities who suffer from this unacceptable behavior. State intervention is needed now. I am calling on the State Education Commissioner, once again, to play a more prominent role in the day-to-day operations and oversight of this school district."
Messages left with Minerva and D'Agostino have not been returned. East Ramapo School District released a statement Wednesday and set a meeting to discuss the matter 7 p.m. Monday night.
More details and links to videos of Kirby's actions can be found in the previous Patch report on this incident here. The video contains strong and offensive language and is not appropriate for children.
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