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| A group of teachers at P.S./I.S. 225 wore black last week to show their support for teachers at P.S./I.S. 99. (Courtesy of UFT) |
From Betsy Combier:
Speaking up against a principal or Superintendent can be dangerous (actions may lead to 3020-a charges and termination/retaliation), but if there is enough support by staff and employees, removal can happen.
See the stories of principals who have been removed and, the particularly disturbing story of Heather Jansen and her student Rat Pack:
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| Jansen claimed in a pending race-discrimination lawsuit against the DOE that Wilson unfairly removed her as principal of mid-island PS 46 in June 2023 |
Former Principal of PS 46 Heather Jansen and Her Student Rat Pack
I met Ms. Jansen when she testified at the 3020-a arbitration against my client, a teacher at PS 46. Jansen set my teacher client up by using what we ended up calling the "Rat Pack", and refused to listen to any evidence that the charges were frivolous and false. We won the case, the teacher was not terminated.
Jansen was so hated by staff and parents that a no confidence vote led by the UFT got her removed. She was given a job as a teacher at PS 54 Charles W. Leng school.
Betsy Combier, Editor
betsy.combier@gmail.com
Editor, ADVOCATZ.com
Editor, ADVOCATZ Blog
Editor, NYC Rubber Room Reporter
Editor, Parentadvocates.org
Editor, New York Court Corruption
Editor, National Public Voice
Editor, NYC Public Voice
Editor, Inside 3020-a Teacher Trials
Editor, Parentadvocates.org
Editor, New York Court Corruption
Editor, National Public Voice
Editor, NYC Public Voice
Editor, Inside 3020-a Teacher Trials
Husband’s alleged online attacks against union rep spark calls to oust Brooklyn superintendent
By Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, March 1, 2026
Calls to remove a south Brooklyn schools superintendent are mounting after her husband allegedly
posed as someone else on social media to attack a union rep for local teachers.
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| Erin Lynch-Reyes |
The saga began to unfold when Acting Superintendent Erin Lynch-Reyes’ bid to become the permanent
leader of District 21 seemed to hit a roadblock over public acrimony between teachers and their
principal at a school in her district. A key voice in that labor dispute was Adam Shapiro, the
district representative for the United Federation of Teachers.
While not the direct target of the complaints, Lynch-Reyes found herself in the crosshairs. After
the setback came to light, her husband, Miguel Reyes — according to the UFT’s general counsel, Beth
Norton — allegedly struck back. Falsely claiming to be a staff member at the Midwood school named
Jose Tricoche, he made a series of social media posts personally attacking Shapiro, the union
claimed.
the setback came to light, her husband, Miguel Reyes — according to the UFT’s general counsel, Beth
Norton — allegedly struck back. Falsely claiming to be a staff member at the Midwood school named
Jose Tricoche, he made a series of social media posts personally attacking Shapiro, the union
claimed.
“The UFT has a good faith basis to believe that ‘Jose Tricoche’ is Ms. Lynch-Reyes’ spouse, Miguel
Reyes,” Norton wrote in a Jan. 13 letter to Liz Vladeck, the top lawyer for the city’s public
school system.
Reyes,” Norton wrote in a Jan. 13 letter to Liz Vladeck, the top lawyer for the city’s public
school system.
“The UFT demands that the department immediately cease and desist from engaging in fraudulent and
defamatory online attacks of UFT representatives, including Adam Shapiro, and from unlawfully
interfering with the union’s representation function in District 21.”
defamatory online attacks of UFT representatives, including Adam Shapiro, and from unlawfully
interfering with the union’s representation function in District 21.”
A spokeswoman for the public schools and Lynch-Reyes did not comment, and attempts to reach Reyes
were unsuccessful. Alison Gendar, a UFT spokeswoman, said the letter “proved effective” and the
“activity has stopped” since it was sent.
were unsuccessful. Alison Gendar, a UFT spokeswoman, said the letter “proved effective” and the
“activity has stopped” since it was sent.
A local conflict spirals
When Lynch-Reyes, a 24-year veteran of public education, was tapped at the start of this school
year as the interim superintendent of District 21 — from Coney Island and Brighton Beach to
Bensonhurst and Midwood — it seemed like a perfect fit.
year as the interim superintendent of District 21 — from Coney Island and Brighton Beach to
Bensonhurst and Midwood — it seemed like a perfect fit.
Before stepping into the role, Lynch-Reyes was the top deputy to Isabel DiMola, the local
superintendent for 16 years until DiMola was promoted last summer to former city Schools Chancellor
Melissa Aviles-Ramos’ second-in-command.
superintendent for 16 years until DiMola was promoted last summer to former city Schools Chancellor
Melissa Aviles-Ramos’ second-in-command.
As deputy superintendent, Lynch-Reyes oversaw sweeping changes to the district’s reading
curriculum. She also had experience as the principal of Intermediate School 096 Seth Low in
Bensonhurst.
curriculum. She also had experience as the principal of Intermediate School 096 Seth Low in
Bensonhurst.
“I am committed to ensuring that every school in our district is a place of opportunity,
innovation, and joy,” Lynch-Reyes wrote in a letter, introducing herself as the new temporary
leader.
innovation, and joy,” Lynch-Reyes wrote in a letter, introducing herself as the new temporary
leader.
But months into the new job, Lynch-Reyes had a major problem on her hands.
At PS/IS 99 Isaac Asimov School of Science and Literature, teachers accused their principal,
New York reported six complaints have been filed about Niarhos with the city over allegations of
improper behavior, while Lynch-Reyes continued to stand by her.
improper behavior, while Lynch-Reyes continued to stand by her.
Soon, teachers across the district — then the city — were talking about PS/IS 99 and District 21.
Last December, teachers from 30 schools districtwide wore black to work one day in support of the
PS/IS 99 staff. Michael Mulgrew, the United Federation of Teachers president, personally spoke out
against the working conditions at PS/IS 99, which also cast a shadow over the district.
Last December, teachers from 30 schools districtwide wore black to work one day in support of the
PS/IS 99 staff. Michael Mulgrew, the United Federation of Teachers president, personally spoke out
against the working conditions at PS/IS 99, which also cast a shadow over the district.
DiMola told UFT representatives — according to the union’s letter — that the attention received by
PS/IS 99 and, in turn, District 21, had delayed Lynch-Reyes’ permanent appointment.
PS/IS 99 and, in turn, District 21, had delayed Lynch-Reyes’ permanent appointment.
After the UFT was made aware of the delay, a social media user identifying themselves as “Jose
Trioche” went on the attack, the letter alleges.
Trioche” went on the attack, the letter alleges.
“I work at this school,” Trioche commented on a Dec. 16 Facebook post of the Chalkbeat article.
“Adam does not like his truth to come out all he does is post lies.” The user continued by making
troubling personal allegations about Shapiro.
“Adam does not like his truth to come out all he does is post lies.” The user continued by making
troubling personal allegations about Shapiro.
When a teacher disputed that Trioche worked at the school and asked him, “Why hide who you really
are??” the user responded: “Cause I finally have a platform where I can speak freely.”
are??” the user responded: “Cause I finally have a platform where I can speak freely.”
 |
| Adam Shapiro, District 21 UFT Rep |
Norton, the UFT’s lawyer, wrote that the union has a “good faith basis” to believe that “Trioche”
is Miguel Reyes based on a review of his posts, residence and employment. Trioche also followed
Lynch-Reyes’ friends and family on social media. The Daily News could not independently verify
Trioche’s identity.
Lynch-Reyes’ friends and family on social media. The Daily News could not independently verify
Trioche’s identity.
The fallout
In the aftermath of the UFT’s formal notice, a letter campaign was launched that asked city Schools
Chancellor
Chancellor
Kamar Samuels not to appoint Lynch-Reyes to the permanent superintendency.
“The actions of Lynch-
Reyes and her husband do not reflect the values of our community nor do they model the core values
of the [New York City Public Schools],” read the predrafted memo, which had resulted in 256 letters
sent as of Friday. “We are asking you to refrain from appointing Erin Lynch-Reyes as District 21
superintendent and find alternative candidates.”
of the [New York City Public Schools],” read the predrafted memo, which had resulted in 256 letters
sent as of Friday. “We are asking you to refrain from appointing Erin Lynch-Reyes as District 21
superintendent and find alternative candidates.”
Union members also came to Shapiro’s defense. “That’s not the man I know,” said Randy Adelson, a
paraprofessional and UFT chapter leader at PS/IS 226 Alfred De B. Mason in Bensonhurst.
paraprofessional and UFT chapter leader at PS/IS 226 Alfred De B. Mason in Bensonhurst.
“Whether it was done with or without knowledge of [the] superintendent, I don’t know,” he added.
“But it’s embarrassing, and it’s below the station of a superintendent. And I would really hope
that’s not the case. … I don’t want our kids to see the adults supposed to be their role models
fighting.”
that’s not the case. … I don’t want our kids to see the adults supposed to be their role models
fighting.”
Jay Brown, the president of Community Education Council 21, said he was aware of the allegations,
but would not share or sign the petition, given the parent-led school board’s positive experience
with Lynch-Reyes, whom he credited as an experienced educator. He pointed to efforts by the acting
superintendent to make parents aware of math curriculum changes coming to the district.
“We just had a tragedy: A student killed by a yellow school bus in our district that’s a horrific
situation,” Brown said. “But it’s the sort of thing where people are tested, and we were working
very closely and at the school together with the mom of the deceased student. My own personal view
of it is she excelled in that role in that moment.”
Lillian Crespo, a teacher and chapter leader at PS 216 Arturo Toscanini in Gravesend, lamented that
PS/IS 99 teachers’ allegations against their principal had been “muddled” because of the
allegations involving the superintendent’s husband.
But Crespo said she would still feel comfortable with the permanent appointment of Lynch-Reyes,
given her “extensive knowledge” of the district having worked “hand in hand” with DiMola.
given her “extensive knowledge” of the district having worked “hand in hand” with DiMola.
“She doesn’t have to let this tarnish her reputation — she just needs to handle it,” Crespo said.
“I would like to see her live on in this role.”
“I would like to see her live on in this role.”
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