In the wake of settlements with some of the Rye City School teachers facing allegations of testing improprieties, one of the school board members Ed Fox read a statement suggesting backroom dealings between Board of Ed President Laura Slack, Rye Mayor Joe Sack and Sack's wife Kerri, an attorney for one of the accussed teachers.
In a short statement, Fox managed to say Sack's wife got the teacher a special deal by placing Laura Slack's husband Richard on Rye City Council.
This is hard to follow and even harder to believe. And many would say service on our city council is not exactly a gift but more like God's work.
At MyRye.com, we made a commitment after the last election cycle to keep the conversation clean. Here is the Fox video statement and the follow-up staements and denials from Sack and Slack.
Tell us what you think by leaving a comment by please keep it clean and stick to the facts.
Ed Fox video:
Statement from Rye City School District Board of Education President Laura Slack
This morning, prior to a vote to accept a settlement with the second of four teachers who have been reassigned pending an ongoing investigation into testing irregularities, Board of Education member Ed Fox made a number of outrageous allegations without one shred of proof that anything unethical or improper occurred. These allegations are not true.
The Board was fully informed and properly acted in approving the settlement, and I, as Board of Education President, have acted in compliance with my ethical responsibilities under Board Policy 2160 and have, at all times, conducted myself with propriety. Mr. Fox owes me and the rest of the Board of Education an apology.
Karina Stabile
Public Information Office
Rye City School District
Statement for Rye Mayor Joe Sack
Ed Fox’s allegations are untrue. I categorically deny Mr. Fox’s allegations. No matter what Mr. Fox’s perspective may be regarding the school district’s handling of the high profile teacher cases, he is irresponsible to cast such unfounded aspersions on me – not to mention my wife, the members of the school board, and the members of the city council, whom I presume will speak for themselves.
Aside from the politically hungry, it is difficult to convince qualified people to serve on the council.
I have the sense that Ed Fox’ statement has more to do with the dynamics of our school board than with the legitimacy of Richard Slack’s appointment to the Rye City Council.
I’ve known Ed for years. He had to know that his statement would be used as “evidence” or “proof” of something, for those who live for that sort of thing. But I don’t presume to second guess his intent.
Regardless, I am certain that there was no quid pro quo arrangement between the mayor and the school board president for the mutual benefit of their spouses. That is just silly.
There’s no benefit to either spouse other than the benefit that accrues from service. In short, even if you’re inclined to think the worst about public figures, which is understandable, you’ll have to admit there’s no “money” here — certainly nothing worth selling your good name for.
It didn’t happen. Move on. This is just gossip from men who wanted the council seat themselves and were never seriously considered by Sack.
Ms. Neary is right.
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Notwithstanding the occurrences at last night’s Board of Education meeting, the Committee for Election Equality continues to support the courageous statement and position of Ed Fox. Where there is ANY appearance of impropriety, the issue must come to a standstill until the matter has been fully vetted and most of the community’s questions are answered to FACTUALLY determine whether there was or was not impropriety. Having half of the Midland PTO standing up for Mrs. Slack is a nice to have, but a complete and unequivocal vetting of the issue would suit Mrs. Slack much better as, after all, this is this is the Rye City School District holder of a generous budget we have provided. We continue to remind readers that we have made no accusations, the only demand is that Mehler and Coppola be offered the SAME deal as Topol to do with as they see fit, and we have asked a lot of questions still unanswered except for, upon information and belief, the fact that Councilman McCartney brought forth the name of Richard Slack the fact of which is of no moment here, as only Mayor Sack has that power of appointment.
My gut tells me there wasn’t a quid pro quo either. There’s absolutely nothing to be gained by either Mayor Sack or Ms. Law. Despite my gut (and logic), I’m unwilling to ignore a Board member’s accurate description of a failure to disclose on the part of Mrs. Slack. That’s all this is…an identification of a failure to disclose. The community doesn’t seem to agree this is an issue so, yes, we move on. Our voices will have to be heard at the polls. It’s up to the victims here (Mrs. Mehler & Ms. Coppola) to pursue legal remedies for damages.