Lavine to State Ed Dept: Review School District Investigations

State Assemblyman Charles Lavine sent a letter to the New York State Education Department Monday calling for a review of how the Glen Cove School District has handled its investigation of allegations of test coaching.

Lavine, D-Glen Cove, wrote to commissioner John King and asked that the department take a fresh look at the matter in light of Superintendent Joseph Laria's resignation Thursday.

"Over the course of at least half a year, the Glen Cove City School District has conducted a far-ranging and extensive investigation into allegations of testing aberrations in our public schools, including the interrogation of many teachers, administrators and children. This matter has caused great consternation to the people of my home community," the letter stated. "Last week’s abrupt resignation of the District’s Superintendent, who had been in charge during the investigation, is yet another factor aggravating Glen Cove’s state of concern."

Lavine wrote that the residents of Glen Cove have been "extremely frustrated" with how the investigation has developed and deserve a reevaluation of the situation by the state.

"I am therefore calling on the State Education Department to re-evaluate the manner in which the District’s investigation was conducted, with special scrutiny being given to the actions of the District, its counsels and consultants," Lavine wrote.

A spokesman for the department could not immediately confirm King had received the letter.