Update: BOE Trustee Bartolomeo Resigns

Editor's Note: As of 5 p.m. on October 4, the BOE updated its statement on the Lindenhurst Schools website. Here's what was added:

"The Board of Education has been made aware of information and allegations regarding Mrs. Bartolomeo in recent days. The Board was then obligated to share this information with Suffolk County Police. Therefore, the district cannot comment further as this matter is now being investigated by the police. All other questions should be referred to the authorities."

Original Story:
Lindenhurst Board of Education Trustee Julie Bartolomeo resigned abruptly at a board meeting on Wednesday night, following allegations by a resident of a teen party that was held at her home.

Bartolomeo tendered her resignation during executive session after the BOE’s monthly public business meeting on October 3.

During the public portion of the meeting, a resident, Peter Irizarry, made several allegations about alleged activities at the party at Bartolomeo's home.

Patch is not immediately making those allegations public until the alleged activities can be confirmed with a second source.

A statement from the Lindenhurst School District regarding her resignation was posted on its website on Thursday morning, but it made no mention of any allegation or reason why she stepped down.

The statement read as follows:

“Mrs. Julie Bartolomeo, a Board of Education member since July 1, 2011, unexpectedly submitted a letter of resignation last night to the Board of Education. The letter did not specify a reason for the resignation. The Board thanks Mrs. Bartolomeo for her service to the community and wishes her well in her future endeavors.

“The vacancy that now exists on the nine-member Board of Education will be discussed by the Board at an upcoming meeting after it has had time to reflect on the options that would best suit the community's needs. When a vacancy arises, a Board can typically choose among three options to address the vacancy for the remainder of the school year: appointment, a special election or no action (thereby leaving the seat unfilled until the next Board election). More information will be provided on this matter in the coming days.”

The resident who shared the allegation during the public portion of Wednesday night’s meeting said he believes “the kids made a really poor decision.” But “since this was a board member,” he continued, “at minimum I’m calling for resignation or removal.”

Irizarry said, “There are three sides to every story, and I trust that you’ll do your investigation. But this is the story I received.”

When Lindenhurst Patch spoke with Irizarry after the October 3 meeting, he declined to elaborate about the specifics or where the claim originated. He did say he wanted to wait to see what course of action the BOE would take.

Meanwhile, when the meeting adjourned, administrators and BOE members quickly went into executive session.

When Patch asked BOE President Donna Hochman for comment before the executive session, she declined. She did indicate the allegation would be discussed and investigated, and it was a matter for the District and the BOE.

On Thursday morning, October 4, school officials made no other statement about Bartolomeo’s resignation besides what was posted online, and follow-up calls to the BOE president were not immediately returned at presstime.

Bartolomeo was elected for the first time for a three-year term to the Lindenhurst Board of Education in May 2011. She’s also the recording secretary for the Lindenhurst Council of PTAs and a former aide in the Lindenhurst School District.

Related:

• Talk Back: How Should the Lindenhurst Board of Education Handle the Vacant Position?
• Husband of Former Lindenhurst Board of Education Trustee Arrested for Providing Alcohol to Minors at House Party
• Police Investigation of Party at Former Lindenhurst Board of Education Trustee's Home On-Going
• Update: Lindenhurst Board of Education Trustee Bartolomeo Resigns

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