This opinion piece contains allegations that are currently subject to ongoing investigation and legal processes. The claims presented have not yet been verified by court proceedings or acknowledged by the school district. Readers are encouraged to form their own informed opinions based on available information.
Leadership within schools is not just about academic achievement—it is also about fostering trust, accountability, and a sense of inclusion for everyone in the community. Recent events involving the Copenhagen Central School District and its superintendent, Scott Connell, have underscored troubling issues of transparency, fairness, and due process. As someone who has dedicated my life to advocating for youth and community well-being, I feel compelled to share my experiences and concerns—not to assign blame, but to encourage a constructive dialogue about accountability and ethical conduct in public institutions.
On January 13, 2025, I was scheduled to table for the nonprofit organization I lead, Youth of Lewis County (YOLC), at Copenhagen Central School. This event had been pre-approved through email correspondence with school staff and followed all necessary protocols, including signing in upon arrival. Despite this, I was unexpectedly confronted by Superintendent Connell and the School Resource Officer (SRO), who demanded that I leave the premises. The confrontation escalated, resulting in my removal from the school and the issuance of a formal trespass notice and charge.
The basis for this notice was an alleged pattern of inappropriate behavior, including an undocumented incident from November 2024. However, I was never informed of this initial complaint or given an opportunity to address it—an apparent violation of my constitutional right to due process. Furthermore, my Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) request revealed no documentation supporting the allegations made against me.
The events of January 13 were not an isolated occurrence but part of a broader pattern of what I believe to be retaliation and defamation. As a mandated reporter and youth advocate, I had previously raised concerns about student treatment and classroom management within the district. For example, in November 2024, I emailed school officials regarding a gym teacher’s disciplinary actions that unfairly targeted students in the after-school program I worked for. My concerns were dismissed, and shortly thereafter, my professionalism was called into question and led to me losing my job.
The trespass notice, issued on January 15, accused me of disruptive behavior. Yet, affidavits and FOIL responses from the district provided no evidence of safety risks or incidents warranting such allegations. The school nurse’s affidavit described my behavior on January 13 as "not appropriate," yet no specific actions were detailed to substantiate this claim. Conversely, my sister, who was present during the incident, stated under oath that I was cooperative and professional, even asking for clarification about the reasons for our removal.
The impact of these events has been profound. Professionally, I have lost significant opportunities, including my paid position with Planned Parenthood and my role as Co-Chair of the Community Services Board. Personally, the stress and reputational damage culminated in a mental health crisis that left me grappling with an attempted suicide. Despite this, I remain committed to continuing my advocacy work and addressing systemic failures that harm both individuals and communities.
In the spirit of resolution and community healing, I have proposed a carefully structured settlement offer that reflects not just personal compensation, but a broader commitment to our community's youth and future. The total proposed settlement of $750,000 has been thoughtfully divided into three equal portions:
One-third ($250,000) would address my personal losses, including lost employment opportunities, emotional distress, and damage to my professional reputation.
One-third ($250,000) would be directed to Youth of Lewis County (YOLC), ensuring that our vital youth programs can continue and expand their services.
One-third ($250,000) would be allocated as grants and scholarships for graduating Copenhagen Central School District students, demonstrating my commitment to our community's future despite recent events.
This settlement structure reflects my dedication to turning this difficult situation into something positive for our community. However, monetary compensation is only part of the solution. The settlement also calls for:
Immediate rescission of the wrongfully issued trespass notice
A public apology acknowledging the false and defamatory statements made against me
Comprehensive policy review and staff training
Investigation into the November 2024 incident that sparked this chain of events
Despite the severity of my experiences—including a mental health crisis that led to an attempted suicide—I have consistently sought to resolve this matter through proper channels. For months, I attempted to work with the district before considering legal action. I filed an appeal with the Department of Education, though their decision could take 6-8 months. Throughout this process, the school board has remained completely unresponsive to my attempts at communication, whether by email or phone.
The video evidence of the January incident clearly shows Superintendent Connell's actions, yet he has been allowed to act as alleged victim, judge, and prosecutor—wielding unchecked power in violation of basic due process rights. This concentration of authority in one individual, who has demonstrated clear bias, undermines the fundamental principles of fairness our educational institutions should uphold.
This situation raises larger questions about leadership, accountability, and the responsibilities of those in positions of power. While I am pursuing legal remedies to address the harm I have experienced, my ultimate goal is to ensure that no one else in this community faces similar treatment. To achieve this, I am calling for the following actions:
Transparency and Due Process: The district must adopt and enforce policies that guarantee fair treatment and clear communication for all individuals, including non-students and community members.
Policy Review and Training: Staff should receive training on whistleblower protections, mandated reporting, and conflict resolution to prevent retaliation against those who raise concerns.
Leadership Accountability: Superintendent Connell should be held accountable for his actions, which include defamation, retaliation, and abuse of authority.
Community Healing: To rebuild trust, the district should issue a public apology and work toward fostering a more inclusive and transparent environment.
I have lived in Lewis County for eight years, and this community has become my home. It is where I have built my identity as an advocate, a leader, and a neighbor. However, the events of the past six months have tested my belief in the systems that are supposed to protect and support us.
This is not just my fight; it is a fight for fairness and justice in our community. I refuse to be silenced, and I refuse to let this experience discourage others from speaking out against wrongdoing. Together, we must hold our leaders to the highest standard and demand the transparency and accountability that every community deserves.
I remain hopeful that, through dialogue and action, we can create a district that values the voices of all its members and upholds the principles of justice and fairness. Let this be a turning point, not just for me, but for everyone who believes in the power of community and the necessity of accountability.
In the interest of transparency, I have attached a link to a Google Drive with all documents related to these incidents.
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1pqWsRtL5rSMVCU-D4W1k2BwVhiR2IIRz?usp=sharing
It is not my place to tell you what to think or feel about this—please form your own opinions, even if they are against me.
If you agree with the settlement, you can sign this petition: https://chng.it/4VnYVzNYsM.
This opinion piece contains allegations that are currently subject to ongoing investigation and legal processes. The claims presented have not yet been verified by court proceedings or acknowledged by the school district. Readers are encouraged to form their own informed opinions based on available information.