LI District Creates Citizen Advisory Group After Teacher's Rape Charge

BABYLON, NY — The Babylon school district, which received scrutiny in the past year after a teacher was arrested and charged with raping a student, announced the creation of an advisory committee — the latest in a series of measures to ensure appropriate school relations.

The Babylon Citizens Advisory Committee, according to the board of education, will encourage dialogue among members of the community on matters of district concern. The board is currently accepting applications for members until Oct. 7.

The creation of the committee comes six months after Timothy Harrison, a former Babylon teacher and sports coach, was arrested in March and charged with raping a 15-year-old student in 2013. He has pleaded not guilty and is due back in court on Oct. 25.

According to the board of education, the student was inspired to make a complaint after numerous alumni spoke out at a November meeting and said that they experienced sexual and emotional abuse from teachers over many years. Attorney General Letitia James also conducted an investigation into the Babylon School District in November, after hearing the accusations.

Alumni Darcy Bennet told Patch that several community members have advocated for the creation of the committee since spring. She asked board members about it again at Monday's meeting.

The board then approved the committee, and soon posted applications for members on its website.

"This was one of the biggest goals BAAC has had — to have the Citizens Advisory Committee approved and the application process started, it shows how far the village has come,"said Bennet. "Members of our group will be applying and are hoping to work with other community members on important issues."

Bennett told Patch that the committee members will be chosen by the board of education.

"I also think this group will have the chance to keep people accountable," said Bennet. "Schools across the country, including a few on Long Island, have citizens advisory committees as well."

“From day one this board has been committed to regaining the trust of the greater Babylon community and to continuing healthy and open conversations with the stakeholders in the district that make it such a special place for learning,” said Babylon BOE President Carol Dell’Erba. “As we finally make a full return to normalcy following years of pandemic, we hope to gather input on reducing student anxiety and to allay any and all student safety concerns. We vow to take all committee input seriously, and we hope to turn it into actionable policy that will enrich the lives of all in our schools.”

Three weeks ago, the district also passed Policy 9150, or "School District Adult-Student Relations", which authorizes staff to create an "effective and safe learning environment" and sanctions consequences for employees who fail to do so.

"Overall, I'm just so happy to see this be put in place," said Bennet. "I think it's an incredible opportunity for members of the community to speak openly about issues facing the Babylon school district and to keep those with authority accountable to see the changes follow through."

Not long after he took on his position of

In a statement, interim superintendent Brian Conboy said he was presented with the idea of a citizen's advisory committee not long after taking on his position.

"I have worked with these types of committees in the past and believe they can be a useful avenue for gathering additional information from residents," said Conboy. "I look forward to the ideas and recommendations this committee can provide in helping us optimize our efforts in the area of our students social-emotional health and well-being.”

Residents who are interested in applying for a position on the committee are asked to complete a form and write a short paragraph explaining their goals and objectives related to serving on the committee.

Applicants must submit both documents to the district clerk by Friday, Oct. 7.

Community members can either email the application to:lmcgarvey@babylonufsd.com, or physically mail it to Linda McGarvey at 50 Railroad Avenue, Babylon, New York.

To view the committee application, click here.

To read Patch's coverage on this topic, check out the following links:

• After LI Teacher's Rape Charge, School District Installs Safety Policy
• Long Island Teacher Resigns After 'Disturbing Allegations'
• LI Woman Accuses Teacher Of Sexual Abuse: 'We Deserve An Apology'
• 'Predator' Teachers Accused Of Abuse Reassigned; Kids Walk Out
• AG Launches Investigation Into Babylon School District
• Former BOE Head Says LI Superintendent Knew About Abuse Reports
• Sexual Abuse Survivors Interrupted, Silenced At LI BOE Meeting
• Ex-Student On LI Teacher's Rape Charge: 'They Didn't Believe Us'
• Babylon Alumni React To Teacher's Arrest: 'Your Pain Is Valid'