West Milford school board faces whistleblower suit

| 29 Sep 2011 | 07:56

    WEST MILFORD —A former Aide at Macopin Middle School will appear in court early next year to claim her employment contract was not renewed due to her attempts to bring charges of serious misconduct against another teacher. On Feb. 6 Kristina Kardanow’s legal action at Passaic County Court will allege West Milford Board of Education declined to renew her contract as a direct result of her “whistleblowing” on teacher Lauren Rescigno. Kardanow was employed by the school system between September 2000 until June 2003 and had her complaint filed in court in June 2004. While employed by the school Kardanow worked as an aide alongside Rescigno in a class specifically for children with behavioral difficulties. Kardanow’s attorney Mark Aronowitz filed the complaint citing a host of alleged inappropriate and negligent behaviors by Rescigno. In the most serious of these claims Kardanow alleges Rescigno brought an “R” rated movie to the classroom and showed it to the pupils. Kardanow also claims Rescigno brought the video game “Vice City” to her class, allowing students to play the game which Kardanow claims had sexual content, drug use and violent action. Among other claims Kardanow has made she alleges Rescigno made sexually inappropriate remarks to a student, and disclosed the identity of a physically and sexually abused pupil to other members of the class. Rescigno is also accused of operating her class with disregard to the amount of work completed by students and of a lax attitude towards allowing students who were supposed to be attending other lessons to remain in her class to play video games. Glenn Kamp, Superintendent of West Milford Schools, said on Wednesday he supported the decision of the school board to take no action on Kardanow’s claims. Kamp said the district had “absolutely” investigated the claims and declined to make further comment. Kamp however did confirm that Rescigno is still employed at Macopin School and without referring to Kardanow said, “In West Milford we keep only the best in our district. We make sure all of our staff are of the highest standard.” Kamp also said “we have a very good chance” of winning the suit and doubted whether any former students would be asked to testify on the district’s behalf. Vito Gagliardi of Morristown law firm Porzio, Bromberg and Newman, who is attorney to the board of education, will defend the district, although Kamp said the school insurers can change the legal representation if they consider it necessary. The cost of a potentially expensive legal battle will be covered by insurance. District Business Administrator Stephen Cea said the district is part of a group insurance fund with other districts and so the cost of the suit should not affect taxpayers. Aronowitz declined to return phone calls.