FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM DECEMBER 9, 2021 • THE QUEENS COURIER 25
Townsend Harris teacher removed following sexual misconduct accusations
BY CARLOTTA MOHAMED
cmohamed@schnepsmedia.com
@QNS
A former English teacher at Townsend
Harris High School in Flushing has been
removed from the campus following
allegations of sexual misconduct with
students.
Joseph Canzoneri, who was removed
from Townsend Harris High School in
2018 and reinstated this fall by the city
Department of Education (DOE), has
been reassigned outside of the school
building, according to the DOE.
“Our number one duty is ensuring the
safety of our school communities and
there is nothing more important than
the well-being of each and every one of
our students,” DOE spokesperson Katie
O’Hanlon said. “Th is employee was immediately
removed from the classrooms once
these deeply disturbing allegations came
to light and will never be permitted back
in Townsend Harris again.”
A report from student journalists at
the school’s newspaper, Th e Classic,
revealed that although Canzoneri was
removed from the classroom, he still came
into contact with students for extended
periods of time in an offi ce area in the
building.
One student had told Th e Classic that
she felt “disgusted at the school for putting
her in a dangerous situation” and that
Canzoneri still had a job. Another student
told the student newspaper that they felt
“unsettled and concerned” as Canzoneri
was a constant presence in the room.
Th e reporters obtained a document that
showed Canzoneri was assigned to help
supervise a schoolwide gathering in the
auditorium along with other teachers.
Th e outlet also received a report from
the special commissioner of investigation
for the New York City School District that
Townsend Harris High School in Flushing.
outlined Canzoneri’s alleged misconduct.
Th e report was sent to then-Schools
Chancellor Richard Carranza on May
31, 2019. According to the school newspaper,
SCI investigators concluded that
Canzoneri “demonstrated a consistent
and troubling pattern of inappropriate
behavior.”
Th e offi ce had recommended that
Canzoneri be fi red and prevented from
securing any future employment from
the “DOE, its vendors, or in any of its
facilities.” Th e DOE appropriately pursued
Canzoneri’s termination aft er the
SCI report, but all charges against him
were later dropped because the involved
students refused to testify against him in
a hearing.
Th e DOE told QNS that based on state
law and labor agreements, the department
had to reinstate Canzoneri in his former
position.
Th e principal of Townsend Harris had
Screendhot via Google Maps
refused to give him any class assignments
and worked with the DOE to completely
remove him from the school.
“Canzoneri was immediately removed
from the classroom when the investigation
began, and following the SCI report
the DOE pursued termination against
him,” the DOE said.
Th e DOE said they’re bound by New
York State Education Law, which states
that a school district cannot terminate a
tenured teacher without a hearing. Th ese
hearings are known as 3020-a proceedings,
and termination can only occur following
an independent hearing offi cer’s
decision.
“Th is case’s hearing offi cer dismissed all
charges against Canzoneri and ordered
him to be reinstated in his prior position,”
the DOE said. “We are bound by state law
to follow the hearing offi cer’s orders, and
have been able to reassign him outside the
school building.”
Following Th e Classic’s inquiries on
Canzoneri which led to his removal, three
senior students organized a sit-in protest
on Nov. 23 in the school’s lobby to share
their thoughts on the issue.
Th e students called for “transparency
regarding credible sexual misconduct
accusations that are made against teachers
within the school, the banning of the
accused from entering the building and
interacting with students, training for students,
transparency for past failures, and
the revision of DOE sexual misconduct
policies,” according to Th e Classic.
In light of the fi ndings of the SCI report,
Councilman James Gennaro, who represents
the 24th Council District, said he
fi nds it unconscionable that Canzoneri
was returned to THHS in September,
where he was no longer assigned to a
teaching position, but had access to students.
“Although I am normally cautious to
not call for the removal and punishment
of a teacher over allegations unless they
are substantiated aft er appropriate due
process, in this case the SCI report was
unequivocal in the fi ndings of its investigation
that Joseph Canzoneri had indeed
engaged in sexual relations with several
students. Th e report fi ndings are the difference,”
Gennaro said.
According to Gennaro, it was an “outrageously
insensitive and dangerous decision”
by the DOE to put additional students
at risk for sexual predation.
Gennaro says he stands with the students
and parents of THHS, and all NYC
students that there needs to be zero tolerance
for any form of sexual predation
in schools.
“I congratulate the student reporters
of Th e Classic for their service to the
THHS community in revealing the DOE’s
dangerous and unconscionable lapse in
judgement,” Gennaro said.
kids & education
CUNY college courses will be off ered in Far Rockaway, providing new pathway to economic success
BY BILL PARRY
bparry@schnepsmedia.com
@QNS
Rockaway adults will have the
opportunity this spring to take
CUNY college courses to improve
their quality of life as part of a new
educational partnership.
Th anks to a new partnership
between Challenge Charter High
School and the CUNY School of
Labor and Urban Studies (SLU) will
begin off ering courses taught by SLU
faculty at Challenge Charter High
School, located at 15-20 Central Ave.
Southeast Queens residents will
have the opportunity to attend a
second information session at the
school on Tuesday, Dec. 7, from 6:30
to 7:30 p.m. Offi cials will be on hand
to provide details on which programs
are available, how to apply
and register, plus fi nancial information
and how to receive one-on-one
guidance.
“As a higher educational institution
founded on the principles
of expanding higher educational
opportunities and on preparing students
who aspire to careers dedicated
to public service and social justice,
we are thrilled to be partnering
with the Challenge Preparatory
Charter to do just that — provide
access to college courses, academic
support services and opportunities
for career advancement to the
Far Rockaway community,” CUNY
School of Labor and Urban Studies
Dean Gregory Mantsios said.
Participants of the information
session will learn about SLU’s educational
programming including several
advanced certifi cations, undergraduate
and graduate courses of
study, and GED completion. Special
scholarship information will also be
shared.
With no local college in the community,
the educational partnership
removes one of the major barriers
that residents interested in upscaling
their skills or education have faced: a
long commute.
“You don’t have to go to college;
college comes to you,” Challenge
Charter School CEO Rev. Dr. Les
Mullings said. “Th is is a momentous
occasion for our citizens and
for the future of Far Rockaway.
Anyone interested in building a better
life should take a look at what
this amazing program has to off er.”
Registration begins Monday, Jan.
24, and classes begin Monday, Feb.
7. For more information, email
admissions@slu.cuny.edu for more
details.
Photo courtesy of CUNY SLU
Challenge Charter High School in Far Rockaway.
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