Write-In Campaign Stirs Up Tensions Following BOE Election

Despite passage of Patchogue-Medford School District's proposed $162 million budget Tuesday night, drama still erupted after the results were announced.

Newly re-elected trustee William LaVelle quickly exited Tuesday's canvass by taking off an overcoat and exposing a T-shirt that included a derogatory message about his opponent, Tony Russo, along with the message “PMCT Leadership Is Weak” before walking out of the auditorium at .

The shirt targeted the and the organization's president Paul Pecorale for its partial involvement with a against him using Russo, an out-going trustee. Both Pecorale and the union were involved in a Friends of Anthony Russo organization, which has otherwise been anonymous.

The T-shirt was about fighting fire with fire, LaVelle said.

He said he had no problem with anyone contesting the issues against him, but he did not like the support of a write-in candidate with no opportunity for debate.

“I think that if the teacher's union or their representatives have a problem with me, it would have been nice to know about it,” LaVelle said. “When I originally ran six years ago, they supported me.”

LaVelle indicated that he is not anti-teacher, and that while he to close two middle schools earlier this year, the plan would not have cut teachers.

Pecorale did not comment about the messages on LaVelle's shirt after Tuesday night's canvass, but LaVelle said that the two of them spoke Wednesday morning in his office and that Pecorale apologized.

“He thought I was unfair to him, he wasn't the main person,” LaVelle said. However, the rest of the Friends of Anthony Russo organization are still unknown at this time.

Pecorale said that LaVelle and himself have agreed to move on.

"He apologized to me and promised to tone down his rhetoric and we both agreed to move on to do what’s right for our students and community," Pecorale said to Patch Thursday morning.

Resident and former trustee Christie Jo Lang was not happy about the T-shirt, and feels that the election should remain contested due to technical issues with the write-in ballots.

Receive updates to this story and other breaking news in your inbox or smartphone by signing up for our newsletter here

Regarding the passing of the budget, Superintendent Michael Locantore was pleased that the community approved the budget on the first try for the second year in a row.

“I think this gives the opportunity to continue to restore programs, get our test scores up,” Locantore said.

Re-elected trustee Anthony O'Brien and newly elected trustee Christine Rignola thanked voters for electing them.

The new terms for the three Board of Education positions will start in July.

Updated 5/17/12 11:40 a.m.: Pecorale's side of the discussion added.