Embattled Law Firm Steps Aside After Attorney's Tirade

East Ramapo activists, parents, students and supporters got the results they wanted at Monday night’s school board meeting—the Long Island law firm of Minerva & D’Agostino resigned its representation of the school board. 

The announcement by the school board president came after attorneys of the firm verbally abused a parent and a student and physically threatened a resident.

“They did what we wanted them to do,” said Save Our Schools Coalition member Steve White. “D’Agostino will no longer be their attorney.”

Parent Peggy Hatton, who was the target of attorney Chris Kirby’s foul mouthed barrage last Tuesday, said, “I’m glad it’s over.”  

“He’s gone,” said White.  “He won’t be able to harm our district anymore.”

Their remarks came after a peaceful protest and 90-minute wait while the school board met in executive session. Board President Yehuda Weissmandl read a statement in a barely audible voice to the packed room. He said the board and district strongly condemned the actions that took place last Tuesday.

When he said the law firm was dealing internally with Kirby, there was a series of boos. Then he said without Kirby handling legal matters for the board, the law firm felt it did not have the resources to continue representing it.

“They have offered to assist the district in a transition to other legal representation,” read Weissmandl to loud applause.

Weissmandl said the decision was effective immediately although he did not know how long it would take the board to find a new law firm.

About 200 adults and children from East Ramapo, Spring Valley, Clarkstown, Pearl River and Nyack joined the rally that preceded the meeting. They held a banner “Save Our Schools” and signs that proclaimed “File the Lawyers Now,” “D’Agostino Must Go,” East Ramapo Is Not South Africa,” and “Respect.” Teenager Glen Edwards led them in chants of “Hey hey, ho ho D’Agostino has to go,” “No more excuses, Stop the abuses,” and “Governor Cuomo, where are you?”

When the protestors filed into the empty boardroom to wait for the board about 20 community members and elected officials took turns speaking. Hatton called upon Governor Andrew Cuomo to be the lobbyist for children he promised to be and to step in and save the failing East Ramapo School District.

Assemblywoman Ellen Jaffee, who taught in the district for more than 20 years, said the children are the victims because the district’s focus is no longer on excellence in education. Legislator Ed Day said what is happening in East Ramapo is stressing the entire school system in the county. Former Spring Valley Judge David Fried said if Kirby had acted that way in his courtroom he would have been charged with contempt of court and put in jail.

“I don’t want to see him just fired, I want to see his license pulled,” said Fried.

Rev. Dr. Weldon McWilliams IV, who led the rally, encouraged everyone to stay in the fight and thanked the diverse group for attending. After the last speaker, the audience members sang “We Shall Overcome,” as they waited for the board meeting to begin.