ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) – A state Education Department hearing got underway Thursday for a one-time candidate for New York governor who publicly insulted former President Barack Obama and his wife and stands accused of disclosing confidential school board business.
Several days of hearings are scheduled in Albany for wealthy developer Carl Paladino to determine whether his public release of information on teacher contract talks should cost him his position on the Buffalo School Board.
State Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia is hearing testimony in a petition filed by other school board members seeking Paladino’s removal from the fractured body. They say Paladino publicly disclosed information about teacher contract negotiations discussed in closed-door sessions.
Paladino counters in a federal lawsuit that the board’s claims are retaliatory for derogatory remarks he made about the Obamas and an attempt to stifle free speech.
School board President Barbara Seals Nevergold testified that Paladino breached a code of conduct when he went public with the information about teacher contract talks.