Sparks fly at 1st Hempstead SB meeting since ouster

Sparks flew at the first Hempstead School Board meeting since Tuesday's school vote resulted in the ouster of board President Maribel Toure and board Vice President Gwendolyn Jackson.
Toure and Jackson's terms aren't over until July -- but it's clear they're going out fighting. As members of the minority block, both have long been at odds with the majority board members on issues ranging from the school budget, a forensic audit of the district's books and school expenses.
The divisiveness continued Thursday evening over charter school funding, with majority board members and minority members trading jabs.
"We will discuss this at a later date and time, possibly after July 1 with the new trustees," said trustee Randy Smith.
The dynamics of the divisive board will likely change in July, when newly elected board members Carmen Ayala and Patricia Spleen will take their seats -- and the board elects its new leadership. But until then, the infighting likely continues.
News 12 called board members and the newly elected members for comment about the turnover. Some turned down the request and others said they were unavailable.