A beloved autistic custodian at Wantagh Middle School, who garnered widespread community support after being fired from his job, may soon be getting a second chance.
Patrick Ryder, longtime neighbor and friend Melvin Turner, told reporters outside the Wantagh Administrative offices late Friday afternoon that the school board has agreed to rehire him to his part-time custodial position pending the outcome of a mental health evaluation, according to CBS New York. Turner, 45, was previously let go by the district because of alleged threatening remarks he made about harming school property during an outburst to students in July while walking home after being bullied earlier in the day. The outburst was recorded on a cell phone camera and handed over to district officials.
The Wantagh Board of Education has not yet released a statement on the decision to reinstate Turner.
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The prevous firing of Turner, who has been a fixture at Wantagh school events through the years, prompted hundreds to flock the Sept. 13 board of education meeting voicing support for him getting his job back. Supporters of Turner argued that he did not mean the words said in the outburst and has never been a threat to students. Turner, a lifelong Wantagh resident, was first hired as a part-time middle school custodian in 2007.
In addition to being fired from his custodian job, Turner was also not allowed the enter school grounds until the board of education reversed that policy at the end of its Sept. 13 meeting. Turner’s firing had followed a police investigation and subsequent suspension. Turner supporters said he has been the victim of bullies since he was a youngster.
A fundraising campaign to help Turner with his bills has been launched by Ryder. An indiego.com account for Turner that people can make donations to online at can be found by clicking here.
The decision to reinstate Turner pending a mental health evaluation comes two days after the district announced that new Superintendent Phil D’Angelo has taken a leave of absence with Forest Lake Elementary School Principal Maureen Goldberg taking over his responsibilities. The school board has not commented on D'Angelo's leave since it is a personell matter.
"MOTION was made by Michael Soethout, seconded by Tony Greco, and passed 4-0, with Jean Quinn abstaining, approving the following resolution: RESOLVED, that the employee named and discussed in executive session is hereby suspended with pay pending an investigation and/or the applicable and appropriate proceedings effective immediately. MOTION was made by Jean Quinn, seconded by Bill Russack, and passed unanimously, approving the following resolution: RESOLVED, that a firm to be determined is hereby appointed as Special Counsel/Investigator for the purposes of investigating allegations made regarding an employee discussed in executive session at a fee to be negotiated." NOT found among the minutes of any Board of Education meeting is any resolution approving or granting a leave of absence for Phil D'Angelo. Source: http://www.wantaghschools.org/site/Default.aspx?PageID=223, open document "psm9-14-12.pdf" (last modified Wednesday at 3:50 PM).
Their son has been in trouble for years. Not just pranks either. He should be suspended pending a mental evaluation. ((Maybe the parents as well) This child needs lots of help!!!! He is well known in Wantagh. MCH
The names of several bullies are well known in the schools. Other kids know three things about them: 1. their names 2. their patterns of behavior 3. that their behavior is wrong. Not only the parents of those bullies, but the adults in the school have not dealt in any meaningful or acceptable manner with the wrong behaviors of the well-know school bullies. That acquiescence by adults reinforces the bullies and allows them to continue their bad behavior, and, it sends a very bad message to all of the other kids: although bullying is wrong, and bad, nobody is really going to stop it. I hereby declare the Wantagh School District to be in violation of its own adopted formal Mission Statement: "Mission Statement: Through a commitment to educational excellence in a secure, supportive environment, the Wantagh Public Schools shall inspire students to develop a strong sense of individual worth and respect for others, to become lifelong learners and independent thinkers, and to fulfill themselves as concerned citizens in a diverse world." (http://www.wantaghschools.org/domain/3) I now challenge Dr. Goldberg to step-up and set this right as Job One!
A)Your janitor is fired under a very questionalable and illegal NON "process" B)Community rallies in his support and for his rights. C)Superintendent is/has (given leave, taken leave, has leave approved, is fired, resigns pick one of the above) D) Community outraged at Boards revolving door policies / Questions abound E) Janitor is REINSTATED suspended with pay upon evaluation of a professional(which they :LEGALY SHOULD have done in the first place) . What did your board do? Pullout the disabled guy's reinstatment to promote a feel good moment to DEFLECT the IRE of the community over the Superintendents mystery separation from the position or morely importantly their LACK of knowledgeable leadership? Two things i had stated in two different articles seem very prophetic-Mel got his rights trampled and the distirct based on the BOARDS decision left your community open for a plethora of legal suits and sanctions , etc because your BOARD jumped the gun. Your SUP did not agree with the BOARD and a "discussion ensued" causing a parting of the ways. Where has your districts LEGAL representation been in all this , on vacation, head in the Sand, totaly disregarded? This just poses and raises MORE question as to the COMPETENCY of your Board. I am Glad Mel is getting the his due process. Hopefully it works out well for him. Your BOARD on the other hand needs to be held accountable in all this and questions still need to be answered!
After personally watching the School Board and Mr. D'Angelo behave at the School Board Meeting-I believe the Board is "the gang that couldn't shoot straight". There were some strange dynamics going on including the "15 minute discussion about purchasing bologna sandwiches". Of course both sides were right- it was a small amount of money and we should have purchased something for the board to eat (of course they do not get paid for all the hours they give to the community) and on the other side "it is the right thing as taxes go up and the board asks all employees to give back". I think it was grandstanding on the part of the board member who wouldn't let the vote stand with one negative vote on the group of expenditures. She will never get my vote again. And we were there to hear about Mel! Actually, I think any longtime board members should go in the next elections. Plus I hope we can get our $ back from the search company that found us Mr. D'Angelo. Something fishy in his last district when they vote him a $3,000 retroactive raise and then accept his resignation. Seems we bought their "pig in a poke."
As for the wantagh school district, they need to get control over the bullying situation, Specifically wantagh middle school. Eighth graders are bullying sixth graders and children with special needs are being bullied. As for the parents, wake up and teach your children to treat others with respect. Stop teaching them that they are better than others on the field and off.
"if you stand with a group who is doing something wrong or illegal such as bullying or hazing, you are as guilty as the worst offender because you are giving them strength by standing with them." Perhpas ALL schools need to emblazon this on their walls and in eveyones heads.
You are so right Lorraine! Whoever was with him is just as guilty. Why is this offender still in our schools after all the hurtfull and dangerous instances he has been involved in? Is it because of his parent's connections?? He actually sought out Mel on the streets so he could torment him! NICE!! Something is not right. Does he have to really do physical harm to someone before he is put in check. BOE this should be a priority! NO TOLERENCE FOR BULLIES is a must. Students and parents should feel SAFE and SECURE in our schools and in our community.
A difference of opinion on tolerence /consequences getting rid of the "rug" rather then sweeping things under it ? Problems dont go away by ignoring them, or hoping that people will forget and move on placating them with pleas "for the Kids" or "for the community" .. Someone really should implore that both the NYSED and NYSSBA interceed and take control of this situation before it starts to effect not only large amount of TAX $$$'s in multiple lawsuits , but more importantly before it effects education & the STUDENTS>
The bottom line the one thing people have to question in this whole mess is INTEGRITY and how the LACK of it is ulltimately going to effect your STUDENTS. Is this the type of example this School District & its Board want to set for its youth- Deflect and deny ? Integrity, honesty, accountability and ownership are to be avoided at all costs? Is that the type of environment anyone wants to establish as an example?
relax"...
More appropriate and fair it would have been had that question been posed confidentially to the Wantagh Board of Education for their information and handling in an appropriate manner.
Not being investigated? Is it because his parent works for the district! Mel should have a lawyer and an order of protection against these boys. Then Mel can go Back to work and these bullies will not be allowed on school grounds or in the Building. If their parents cannot control them, then they ALL need help!!! This boy has a long history of trouble in this community. As he gets older, his behaviors will become worse. He is not going to outgrow this. WAKE UP PEOPLE!!!
You are wrong, it is very relevant that the bullying occurred off school grounds and while school was not in session. My kid was bullied on my own block by kids in the same school. Is this something the school board needs to get involved in ? It's over- Mel got his job back. Don't make this ALL about bullying- a grown man who works amongst our children made dangerous threats - This was the issue.