For Immediate Release

Brooklyn principal arrested for allegedly assaulting teacher

May 21, 2009 5:37 PM

On May 21, the principal at PS 20 in Brooklyn was arrested by police from the 88th Precinct on assault charges for allegedly attacking chapter leader Robert Segerra in the principal’s office. Mr. Segerra, a 24-year veteran teacher, said the attack took place in front of an assistant principal and a teacher Mr. Segerra was representing regarding corporal punishment allegations. According to Mr. Segerra, when he questioned the veracity of the allegations, the principal rose from his desk and approached him as he sat in his chair and said, “I’m tired of you,” and began to poke him. When Mr. Segerra objected to the principal’s attempt to physically intimidate him, the principal then punched Mr. Segerra several times, knocking him to the floor, and then kicked him in the head. Mr. Segerra was treated for cuts and bruises at North Shore Hospital.

UFT President Randi Weingarten responded with the following statement:

Principals have to be held accountable to a code of conduct in schools just like teachers and students are. They have no right to harass or bully teachers, much less physically assault them. Indeed, they should be held to a higher standard. If the allegations are true that the principal at PS 20 in Brooklyn assaulted a teacher — who happens to be our union representative in the school — that goes beyond the pale, and he should be disciplined just as sternly as any teacher would be.