New Rochelle Board of Education President, Amy Moselhi, brought a dozen bottles of Prosecco, an Italian sparkling wine, into Albert Leonard Middle School, in New Rochelle, New York last month as holiday gifts. This is illegal in NYS under state law. 

“This is just the latest example of a Board of Education that is completely out of control,” said NAACP New Rochelle Branch President Minister Mark McLean. “In the past few years, our school board has cultivated an environment in which policies and even state laws are now irrelevant.”

Gina Ruggiero of the New Rochelle High School Football Parents Association agreed.

“As a concerned parent I find it extremely alarming Dr. Feijóo has not addressed why Board President Moselhi has not been subject to the same scrutiny as others when she broke Board Policy and State law.” said Ruggiero. “Where is their transparency now?”

“Feijóo has been so quick to pull the trigger on everyone else how is it she did not act immediately on Moselhi?” asked Bishop Fetson Leak. “Rules have to be applicable to everyone.”

Former New Rochelle Athletic Director Mario Scarano questioned why Moselhi and Feijóo went after Coach Louis DiRienzo for not following board policy but have no problem with Moselhi violating Board Policy.

”This is what happens when everyone wants to go by the book, ” said Craig Crovatto, an apparent reference to the recent controversy over former New Rochelle head football coach Louis Dirienzo. ”Now it's coming back to bite them.”

New Rochelle schools are governed by the Federal Drug-Free Act of 1988, the State of New York Policy on Alcohol and Controlled Substances in the workplace, the State of New York Beverage Control Act, not to mention School Board Policy and the Code of Conduct.

Board Policy 5165 states “no person may use, possess, sell or distribute alcohol…on school grounds or at school-sponsored events.”

Board Policy 1530 states “the following acts committed on School District property or within the jurisdiction of the School District, whether performed singly or in concert with others, shall be violations of these rules and regulations: (12) Possession, sale, or use of any drug or controlled substance, including alcohol which is in violation of any state or federal law or possession of any related paraphernalia.