NYC public school principal showered her baby daddy-staffer with OT, probe unveils

A New York City public school principal approved nearly 200 hours of overtime and secured tenure for her baby daddy while he was working under her at the same school — a blatant violation of city rules.Bridget Garzaniti, principal of the High School of Arts and Technology on the Upper West Side, OKed $12,000 in overtime pay for her domestic partner, Curtis Williams in 2024, the city’s Conflicts of Interest Board found.Garzaniti was fined $7,500 and Williams was ordered to pay $4,250 to the COIB.But they kept their jobs.Garzaniti and Williams have lived together since June 2017 and share a child, who was born in August of the same year, stated the September COIB report, which was first reported by Susan Edelman on her Substack.Garzaniti recommended in a letter to the district’s superintendent that Williams be granted tenure in June 2024, which was approved by the Department of Education.DOE employees cannot receive tenure without a recommendation from their principal.

Tenured public schools employees receive iron-clad, career-long job protections.“I highly recommend Curtis for tenure.He has been a valuable asset to our school and has made significant impact on the lives of students and staff,” Garzaniti wrote.

She also awarded him the top rating in his June 2024 performance review, the report stated.Critics blasted the principal for abusing her position to lavish benefits on her live-in baby daddy, and called on city Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels to pursue further discipline.“Tenure tainted by personal relationships demeans those actually deserving and should be met with the harshest possible consequences,” said CUNY Graduate Center education law and policy Professor David Bloomfield.Morning Report delivers the latest news, videos, photos and more.

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