NEW YORK – A number of New York City elected officials have written to Schools Chancellor David Banks telling him the appointment of former Newburgh superintendent of schools Roberto Padilla as superintendent of the South Bronx District 7 school system is “unacceptable and insulting to all victims of sexual harassment” and they have asked the Department of Education to reconsider Padilla’s appointment.
Padilla took a paid leave of absence after two female district employees file a lawsuit against him alleging sexual harassment.
The New York officials note Padilla was found to have violated the state’s sexual harassment law while a second investigation found he violated federal Title IX.
No local charges were filed in Orange County. Following its own investigation, the district attorney’s office said if found “insufficient evidence of the violation of any criminal statute” in the county.
“Within the current social climate, the rights of women and restrictions on their bodily autonomy continue to be in the forefront of our minds, how can we allow this injustice to go unquestioned,” they wrote in a September 21 letter to Banks.
“How in the world did the New York City Department of Education deem this man to be acceptable to lead District? How does a city that strives for diversity, equity, and equal protections for all, justify designating an individual with multiple sexual harassment allegations, to care for our children and their educators,” they wrote.
The city officials questioned the department’s current hiring practices regarding sexual harassment and protections that are in place to ensure that a dangerous individual does not threatening the safety of our students. They also asked what reforms can be established that will ensure “an egregious appointment such as this won’t occur again.”
The letter calling for a formal report to the city council on its hiring practices and overall hiring process was signed by Deputy Speaker Diana Ayala, Council Members Althea Stevens, Amanda Farias, Pierina Ana Sanchez, and Eric Dinowitz, and State Assembly Members Latoya Joyner and Natalia Fernandez.
