Controversial East Ramapo School District Attorney Albert D’Agostino has once again lashed out at a speaker from the floor who dared to be critical of the board’s decision to hire him.
This time, former district student Lorenzo Labitigan, who now attends Yale University, spoke about the critical importance of the school district’s advance placement programs, which are rumored to be on the chopping block. When Latigan criticized the board for hiring D’Agostino, who is quite a bit more expensive than the previous school board attorney, D’Agostino flipped his lid and verbally attacked Labitigan.
Just a few months back, D’Agostino rushed a parent who dared to question the wisdom of hiring a lawyer who is currently under investigation by the State Comptroller. When Antonio Luciano said the decision to hire D’Agostino “stinks,” the $500 an hour lawyer rushed Luciano, screaming “I’m putting this man on notice” and then he shoved a finger in his face and threatened, “I will have you in court by Friday.”
There are First Amendment issues involved when government agencies, even as small as a school board, try to squelch criticism by shouting it down, intimidation, and even adjourning meetings.
Beyond these legal issues, I have to question the emotional state of Albert D’Agostino. His actions go far beyond unprofessionalism. He seems to have incapable of controlling his anger. People prone to such outbursts are frightening to say the least. I worry that this showdown between families in the East Ramapo School District and its self-serving Board have not yet reached a climax and that we will see more, perhaps worse behavior by the board and especially D’Agostino.
The best that we can hope for is that voters come out in the next school board election in East Ramapo and vote in sensible board members who will better deal with their lawyer’s anger issues. Luciano, along with Stephen Price, and Suzanne Young-Mercer are running for the school board.
Tomorrow, March 21, they will have a fundraiser between at 3 pm and the residence of Paul and Rabia Nagin at 23 Dogwood Lane in Pomona. The suggested donation is $50. Please attend and support the health of our public school system in Rockland County.
