School board to discuss Ely's future Evidence surfaces that he allegedly alerted Raucci to probe; meeting this week
By LAUREN STANFORTH, Staff writer First published in print: Monday, March 22, 2010
SCHENECTADY -- City school board members will discuss Superintendent Eric Ely's future at their meeting this week in light of evidence released during Steven Raucci's trial showing that Ely allegedly alerted Raucci to the criminal investigation into his activities.
When asked Sunday what the school board will do about the revelation, President Maxine Brisport provided this statement: "Although Wednesday is a designated budget meeting, there are issues that have recently surfaced within the district that need to be addressed. It is my intent to start a concentrated effort to move the district in the right direction to benefit the students and the community." Brisport wouldn't comment further. Raucci, the district's facilities manager, is on trial on charges of using explosive devices to damage the homes and cars of his enemies -- some of them school district employees. He is facing charges of arson, terrorism and weapons possession.
During the trial Friday, Schenectady County District Attorney Robert Carney presented an e-mail from July 2008 in which School Attorney Shari Greenleaf let Ely know about a multi-county investigation being conducted into Raucci. Ely in turn forwarded that e-mail to Raucci and allegedly said, "Just a heads up on these allegations. We need to talk about taking a head on approach pretty soon."
Board member Gary Farkas said the e-mail was not included in a district internal report concerning Raucci's alleged mistreatment of school employees. No one was disciplined after the internal report's completion last summer. School officials have not released that report to the public.
"In light of this new information, we have to re-evaluate the previous decision that we not take any action against anyone," Farkas said.
Farkas said he'd have to seek legal advice about what those options would be with regard to Ely's employment. According to Ely's contract, the board would either have to find cause to terminate him (which would require a hearing and a majority-plus-one vote by the board), or they would have to buy him out of his contract. The superintendent makes close to $200,000 a year, and his legal obligation to the school district doesn't end until June 30, 2011.
Any discussion that occurs between school board members will likely be held during executive session. Ely couldn't be reached for comment Sunday.
Meanwhile, Ely is a finalist for school superintendent positions in Erie, Pa., Billings, Mont., and Arlington, Mass. The local newspapers in those communities have begun reporting on media accounts here from Raucci's trial. One school trustee in Montana called for Ely to be automatically removed from the running there............>>>>..............>>>>.............Read more: http://www.timesunion.com/AspS.....2/2010#ixzz0iuBrZBN0
Smoking gun has Ely’s fingerprints all over it; he must go
It appears the smoking gun has been found. Although the case of People vs. Raucci is still open, I think we can put the final nail in the coffin with regard to Schenectady Superintendent Eric Ely. The March 20 front-page story, “Email told Raucci of probe,” brought to light that Ely gave Raucci a “heads up” about police investigations. Ely, who is supposed to act on behalf of the school district and, therefore, the taxpayers, instead decided within four minutes of receiving the e-mail that “we have a problem.” Maybe some folks missed this, but Ely said to Raucci, “we need to talk about taking a heads-on approach pretty soon.” That “we” implies an awful lot. Whether or not Ely was connected to Raucci’s criminal dealings is irrelevant; he interfered with a criminal investigation — which is, or ought to be, a crime in and of itself. People say to me, “good thing the students don’t have to deal with this.” The people are right: We should deal with it, right now! There can no longer be any doubt that Ely should resign, or the board of education should remove him, immediately.
"While Foreign Terrorists were plotting to murder and maim using homemade bombs in Boston, Democrap officials in Washington DC, Albany and here were busy watching ME and other law abiding American Citizens who are gun owners and taxpayers, in an effort to blame the nation's lack of security on US so that they could have a political scapegoat."
this is what happens when corruptness goes unchecked. People get to confident and comfortable and the corruptness begins to grow like a cancer. the entire school board should be gone. I'm sure Raucci didn't act in a vacuum and neither did Ely or for that matter even the CSEA! And I still believe that rotterdam's own ND....has a part in this. IMHO
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
I heard on the radio this morning that Ely may be called today by the Prosecution. Is this the same Ely who informed Raucci of the investigation by law enforcement so that they could devise a plan to head it off? If so, has Ely been promised immunity from prosecution for his role in exchange for appearing as a witness against his former pal? Has Ely been told to resign and seek other employment (outside the area) or face charges?
I believe from what we've heard that Raucci is not a nice guy. He, from my perspective, is guilty of committing several crimes. However, this behavior has reportedly been occurring for the past 15 to 20 years. It came out in testimony that Raucci was performing some of these intimidation tactics on the behalf of friends and coworkers. If that is true, wouldn't that make those involved accomplices, co-conspirators, or guilty of collusion or perhaps blackmail or extortion?
In my opinion, Raucci was not acting alone to retain power and control. I suspect that there are others who were on the school board or in the school administration (i.e., principals, vice-principals, etc.) who were involved and who should be facing charges.
So, question is, why have charges not been filed against others? Are they, perhaps, politically connected? We are told that Raucci ordered union members to campaign for candidates for political office during the workers shifts. It was said that the candidates were for Schenectady School Board. Does it go beyond that to city, town and county races?
I wonder if those districts with who Ely is interviewing are aware of his antics here in Schenectady, NY?
KM--the unabomber was mentally ill--Raucci may be as well but I believe he knew what he was doing. The unabomber is another story. I wouldn't be so harsh with him.
In my opinion, Raucci was not acting alone to retain power and control. I suspect that there are others who were on the school board or in the school administration (i.e., principals, vice-principals, etc.) who were involved and who should be facing charges.
So, question is, why have charges not been filed against others? Are they, perhaps, politically connected? We are told that Raucci ordered union members to campaign for candidates for political office during the workers shifts. It was said that the candidates were for Schenectady School Board. Does it go beyond that to city, town and county races?
All good questions and opinions. Ones that I totally agree with!!! And if they are perhaps 'politically connected'.....what political party could that be? The reps? HARDLY!
So who is actually watching the good old hen house? Fair trial???? One can only assume.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
Ely's Coming!-Girl you better hide your purse. No he was not called by the prosecution-maybe the defense? Why has no one on this pathetic administration/school bored been named as co-defendants?
BTW, finally some evidence of "renaissance" downtown. A huge satellite truck from Channel 9 blocking parking by the courthouse. A real lunch rush at the cafe. It's past time for the AG to get involved and bring justice to the many active participants that have been looting this school district.
I was at the courthouse on Monday, jury duty, and it was like a 3 ring circus with all the news vehicles and cars parked all around the courthouse at noon.
A real Downtown "renaissance". Who needs Metrograft? New economic development idea-keep these trials going. There are more fish to fry after this minnow The Mad Bomber. School Bored members-administrators-other janitors -drag these proceedings out.
A full employment measure for lawyers and parking lot attendants. These could be better than the Obama stimulus package. This is the best economic development "tool" since the busy hot dog vendor opened outside packed DSS.
KM--the unabomber was mentally ill--Raucci may be as well but I believe he knew what he was doing. The unabomber is another story. I wouldn't be so harsh with him.
Understood, I was just pointing out 2 members of our local society going about the same means.
Logged
They ALL must go now. Past time to bring in the FBI. Is that the same Maxine Brisport who is running for re-election?
