Administrators/Board of Education

“He has proven to be a very capable administrator…it takes a talented individual to discipline students and still engender their respect, that has been his reputation…the students are concerned for him.”

 “A leader whose first priority is always the students. The students and staff hold him in high regard, he relates exceptionally well to his colleagues, staff, and the students. He has a friendly personality and is a delight to work with.”

“I cannot begin to describe the amount of times his generosity has moved me. A young middle school player who could not afford cleats, he reached into his own pocket time and time again. Quietly to preserve the student’s dignity, he never did it for credit but because it was “for the kids”.  He has had a profound impact on the lives of many students. His diligence, dedication, and sensitivity have helped countless students during difficult periods in their lives. He has helped keep youngsters in school, provided families with community contacts to help them deal with a variety of problems, and worked tirelessly to be there in times of need. I have been fortunate to have such a wonderful friend and colleague.”

“Just wanted you to know that I am thinking of you…please let me know if there is anything I can do or if you just want to talk.”

“You are in my thoughts and prayers. Keep your spirits high and stay strong.”

“I love you and I’m praying for all of this to be resolved so you’ll be back with us. The kids spoke highly of you on Channel 12. If I can do anything for you, let me know.”

“Demonstrates organizational skills, academic preparedness, solid decision making ability, and leadership, but most of all respect and a desire for all students to succeed. A man of high character, strong morals, with a heart of gold. His commitment to Hampton Bays High School, faculty, students, and all community members is unparalleled. It is a pleasure to call him a friend.”

“Thank you for everything you do. Your personality makes work a pleasure.”

“A professional who cared a great deal for the students and faculty members under his supervision. He demonstrated care and empathy while holding staff members accountable in order to improve their performance. He disciplined students with respect, attended all extra-curricular events, and was there to cheer the athletic teams. He went out of his way to establish positive relationships with parents and community members in order to improve the school system. He supported every fund raising event and participated in many others. As an individual he cares a great deal about the students and adults in his charge. There is no doubt in my mind that he is a great role model. He roots for the underdog and creates an environment where all students are valued. I hope you will understand the magnitude of the impact he has made in the lives of so many.”

“It has been my true and sincere pleasure to work with you”

“You are a terrific, intuitive young man whose honesty, ambition, and charm have touched me”

“Thanks for your support and friendship over the years.”

“Over time I know our friendship has faded…I know I have not been the best of friends or as supportive as I could have been, getting this certification and this job has seemed to have taken over my life. When I looked over and saw you at the game and then looked back to who I was sitting with I was hit with a wave of emotion. I very quickly remembered back to all the fun times we had in the hallways, at the class nights, at the dances, always with the best interest of the kids in mind and doing great things for the school. Now things at school are very different. I very much valued your friendship, work ethic and was inspired through many of our conversations to go in this direction with my career. I truly hope the best for you regarding this case and apologize sincerely in not being more supportive. You are a good person and a great friend, I wish you the best of luck.”

“Very helpful and knowledgeable about the students, parents, community, and staff. It was quite evident that he cared very deeply about the well being of his students and the Hampton Bays community. He demonstrated a compassion and commitment to the student’s development of good character and their education. I observed him as a dedicated professional who wanted the best for all students and staff. He always conducted himself in a professional manner and was available and accessible for anyone who needed to speak to him. I credit a great deal to him. It was his keen insight and belief of the good of children that made a big difference in developing a high level, effective program.”

“You really are missed around here. People like you are a presence that’s missed when they aren’t around. I am thinking about you. Take care of yourself.”

“You are definitely missed around here and the place is not the same without you.”

Teachers/Community Members

“We have missed you. As you may have guessed, there is a real lack of leadership.”

“It is very important to know that at no time did we think that ANY of this could be true! On the contrary we are outraged and upset to know that in this day and age anybody can say anything about anyone and be “believed”. It’s a total croc of crap as far as we are concerned! You have our support!”

“You don’t realize how much you care about a person until they are taken away from you. I knew I liked you, I just didn’t realize how much. You mean a lot to a lot of people and this whole incident has made that clear. You have fans on the sideline cheering you on. Take care of yourself and know that you are in all of our hearts. The Baymen can’t wait to get their skipper back.”

“He has earned the respect and trust of our faculty, staff, students, and parents. He embraced the importance of being a leader, the first at the school and last to leave. He never faltered, worked 24/7 to achieve his goal. Despite circumstances he was professional, dedicated, respectful, and always considerate. He is a fine young man whom I admire. He is kind, considerate and thoughtful. I am very proud of him and would be honored to call him my son.”

“There is no doubt that his strength of character would speak volumes about the type of person that he is. He is one of those rare individuals who treats everyone as an equal. He listens and speaks to every individual with the same level of interest, concern, and respect. He approaches his job with an unadulterated, roll up your sleeves and get dirty, attitude. He gives the impression to students and teachers that he is another soldier in the trenches. He is as true and honest person that you will meet. He does not put on airs, he does not try to be something that he isn’t. He does not try to impress. He does not have to because who he is, is impressive enough. There is nothing that he does that does not seem genuine- because if he doesn’t believe in something, he doesn’t bother. Ingrained in his approach is a genuine concern for and sincere interest in the lives of his students.”

“He does not speak to students, he speaks with them, allowing their voices and interests to be the focal point. He naturally integrates the understanding of concerned big brother into his stern administrative style. He disseminates discipline with a tough love approach, leaving no doubt in the minds of his students that he is there for them. He is not a “what have you done for me lately”, type of guy. He is a “what can I do for you today” kind of guy. To see him in action, as an administrator, educator, mentor, role model, big brother, or friend is to know that he is a gentleman who respects people, no matter their status. He is a kind compassionate human being. If the majority of the people in this world treated each other with the respect he shows for others…the world would be a much more civilized place.”

“Thank you for everything you ever did for me, all your help and support. Good luck.”

“There are so many of us behind you, hopefully that will give you strength. We believe in you so stay strong, be positive, and know that we care.”

“It takes a special kind of person to earn the respect of all these different types of students. You not only earned their respect but you also gained their trust. It takes a similar strength of character to be able to unite a faculty as diverse as the one in Hampton Bays. All of us can see the integrity and dedication with which you do your job. If there is one thing we can all agree on it is that you genuinely love what you do and truly care about the kids. The building surely is not the same without you. We all support you and keep you in our thoughts.”

“As PTA members our dealings have been professional and positive”

“I would like to take the opportunity to thank you for all of your efforts and time spent with my children as well as all of the students in Hampton Bays. Your timely advice, continued support, and fair dealing with students is greatly appreciated...we recognize all the good you accomplished. We wish you continued success and will miss you should you not return. Please maintain your spirit and remember that your ability to relate to the children is a gift to be cherished and continued. Thank you.”

“We are with you!”

“A diligent administrator, a global thinker, he sees the whole picture and does not make rash decisions. His attention to detail and tireless work ethic has earned the respect of this tightly knit community. This is a man who cares and that feeling is reciprocated.”

“Professional and sincere, I have nothing but positive praise for him. My wife and I have welcomed him into our home and will continue to do so.”

“A man of integrity and is extremely dedicated. His quick ascent through the administrative ranks is indicative of his dependability and ability to deal with staff and public alike. I have been a teacher in Hampton Bays for 29 years and can state without reservation that he is one of the finest administrators I have had the pleasure of working with.”

“His character was always above reproach. He always had the best interest of the students in his heart.”

“He has been the most sincere, loyal, and honest friend as well as colleague. He has always been a man of his word and students and teachers alike look to him for advice. He is an integral figure in my development as a person. He was inspiring because he was always so diligent and efficient. His professionalism was his outstanding trait. I respected his level headed approach to all situations and how admired he was by our fellow teachers. He is a man who is dedicated to serving the community and children. He is an excellent friend and role model to those who know him, and that’s a long list of people.”

“I want you to know I am here for you, anything you need, let me know.”

“I hope you know how much I believe in you as a principal. I spend the days thinking of you and wish there was some way to let you know that many people are there for you.”

“We are behind you. The kids at school want you back…they are saying wonderful things about you. Hang in there, remember we love you…and we want you back. You are in my prayers and the prayers of many people.”

“Everyone misses you here”

“A quick note to let you know that I and my family are thinking about you. We support you, are behind you 100% and our thoughts and prayers are with you. We miss you.”

“This whole thing smells of a set up. You have only done good things for the students and staff here and we miss having you around. Take care, my prayers are with you.”

 “I want to let you know how much you are missed here. Faculty and staff are asking about you and offering support and parents are asking if there is anything they can do. In all of my years I have never seen a showing of such support for a principal. Stay strong and positive. We are behind you.”

 “I have a great deal of respect for you and so do your workers and co-workers and students. I consider you a good administrator and enjoy working with you. I hope you are doing ok. I just wanted to tell you how much we all care about you.”

“Keep your chin up. I support you. You’ve been nothing but a great friend to me.”

“Just a note to let you know that I hope this nightmare gets resolved soon and you can get your life back to normal.”

“I just wanted to let you know that I am behind you 100%. The staff and kids are really behind you and nobody believes the charges.”

“I wish you great luck and always enjoyed working with you. You have always been helpful and cooperative and a true professional.”

Students 

"You wouldn't remember me because I was never really a student who "stood out" but you were the best principal HB had. Myself and a group of friends think it was a shame you were forced to give up a job you worked so hard to earn. The current principal that took your place is disliked by most staff and hated by all of the students. I hope Hampton Bays realizes that they lost a great principal and that more people should've spoken up. With all that said, I hope your current job is working out well and that this scandal dies down. There are worse scandals in Hampton Bays such as teacher @#$* openly cheating on her husband (and many others) yet nothing is done about that."

"Only people who know nothing of your character and who like to get caught up in hype would judge you based on ridiculous allegations. So many people have had the privilege of working with you or having you as a teacher or principal..."

“I miss you and wish you were still our principal.”

"It's tremendously cool to see you've kept your head up, some of us never left your side."

“I want you to know I wouldn't have my diploma without your help let alone my regent’s diploma and one of the top English 12 regent’s scores in the school if it weren't for you”

“Thank you for everything. You always tried to keep me on the straight and narrow and give me good advice…”

"We missed you."

“Thank you for all of your help. Your wise words and lessons are something I will take with me in the future.”

“Thanks for being there for me.”

“You have given so much back. Your wisdom and dedication will continue to grow in all of us. Thank you so much.”

“He is a great role model”

“He is a really good educator and person”

“Clean cut and to the point, the way a teacher should be”

“Awesome, down to earth, and a real nice guy”

“Great teacher, always there when you need him”

“You are the best, that’s all there is to say”

“Thank you so much…I’ll miss you”

“I will miss you. You were a great educator”

“You are the best teacher ever and we’ll miss you”

“Can’t believe you’re leaving us, you’re the best ever. Good luck and I will miss you a lot.”

“I have known him to be a good man."

In response to the one sided press releases, one student wrote an article for his school newspaper describing how the media wrongfully portrays the accused as guilty before given a chance to defend themselves.