New Rochelle school administrator tied to multiple scandals fired

A top-ranking New Rochelle school administrator who has made headlines for years for various scandals was finally fired Tuesday night, but the Board of Education isn't saying why.

News 12 Staff

Jan 10, 2019, 1:19 AM

Updated 1,941 days ago

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A top-ranking New Rochelle school administrator who has made headlines for years for various scandals was fired Tuesday night, but the Board of Education hasn’t said why.
Shadia Alvarez has been at the center of a grade-fixing scandal and a financial fraud investigation, but the district won't tell News 12 which scandal prompted her termination.
In December, Alvarez was accused of fixing more than 200 students’ grades. The month before, officials revealed that Alvarez was also under investigation at her former job as a principal in the Bronx, allegedly for running up a $114,000 deficit.
Alvarez didn't confirm with News 12 by phone why she was fired, only that she plans to take legal action against the district.
The discussion about terminating the administrator came up at a board meeting last month when Alvarez defended herself against allegations she changed grades as the coordinator of an online program designed to help struggling students.
According to an independent report, Alvarez's alleged grade changes allowed two students to graduate last year, even though they didn't have the credits.
The administrator already had a track record of taking extreme action to get students to graduation. In 2013, Alvarez made headlines when she threatened to cancel prom at her Bronx high school unless all students graduated. Due to her alleged conduct, Alvarez is barred from ever working in the New York City public school system.
According to a statement released by the Board of Education, Alvarez has been placed on administrative leave. Her last day with the school will be Feb. 8. State law mandates all terminated employees be given 30 days' notice.


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