Sex-Abuse Policy Inquiry In Chappaqua School District Begins

CHAPPAQUA, NY - An investigation into the Chappaqua Central School District's sex-abuse and sexual-harassment policies, which was constituted in response to the conviction of a former teacher, is now under way.

In an email sent out to parents on Friday, school board members Victoria Tipp and Jeffrey Mester reported that Interactive, Inc., which the district hired to conduct a policies review, is slated to provide a progress report to the Community Advisory Committee. The meeting was scheduled for Monday.

The committee was previously known as the RFP Committee, the board members note, and was tasked with working on a request for proposals (RFP) that led to the hiring of Interactive.

The email update came just days after former Horace Greeley High School drama teacher Christopher Schraufnagel was sentenced to three years of probation stemming from his guilty plea to sex-abuse charges involving students, Patch previously reported.

As part of the plea deal, Schraufnagel will register as a sex offender, Patch also reported.

Interactive, the school board members note, was hired "to conduct an independent review of and provide recommendations related to Chappaqua Central School District policies, regulations, processes, procedures and practices relating to student safety, including, but not limited to, sexual abuse, sexual harassment and sex discrimination."

In an email for parents that was sent out late last month, Chappaqua Interim Schools Superintendent Daniel McCann noted that Interactive would distribute a web-based survey to parents, staff and faculty on May 30. He added that it would conduct focus groups with community members on May 31 and June 1.

McCann also stated that Interactive will present the district with a preliminary analysis, including recommendations, in late June, and that its final report is due on Nov. 9.

Schraufnagel and the school district face multiple related lawsuits from students, which were filed in federal and state courts.

Photo: A mugshot of Christopher Schraufnagel, issued by the Westchester County District Attorney's office