SAANYS Wins Full Exoneration for Administrator

SAANYS General Counsel Arthur P. Scheuermann and Counsel Brian Deinhart secured a major victory for Maria P. Dorr. More than a year since she was first put on administrative reassignment, Dorr, the longest serving principal of Amagansett Union Free School District in recent history, has been completely cleared of all misconduct charges in a recent 3020(a) arbitration hearing. 

The decision, dated March 20, 2025, by Hearing Officer Timothy S. Taylor, also represents a significant victory for school administrators facing potentially career-ending allegations. The Amagansett Union Free School District brought serious charges against Dorr: alleging theft of an envelope and gift card, claiming she attempted to suppress information about the incident, and then further arguing that she provided false statements during an investigation. 

What began as a seemingly straightforward accusation quickly crumbled when brought to a hearing. The district sought Dorr’s termination, presenting what appeared at first glance to be damaging evidence. However, the hearing process revealed a deeply flawed investigation that failed to meet the fundamental standards of fairness and factual accuracy. 

At the heart of the case was a missing red envelope, allegedly taken from another employee’s mailbox during the busy holiday season. The district’s primary witness, school receptionist Cassie Butts, was found to lack credibility. Her quick spread of unsubstantiated rumors about Dorr and inability to provide concrete evidence became a critical weakness in the district’s case. 

Interim Superintendent Richard Loeschner’s investigation came under particularly sharp criticism. The arbitrator identified multiple investigatory failures, including a narrow focus on only certain red envelopes, failure to interview key witnesses, and a mailroom without security cameras. Perhaps most damning was the suggestion of bias, with Loeschner reportedly receiving guidance from teacher association leaders before conducting an incomplete investigation. 

The arbitrator’s decision was unequivocal. Not only was Dorr found not guilty of all charges, but the ruling also mandated her immediate reinstatement and required the district to expunge all records of the disciplinary proceedings. The district must also make Dorr whole, meaning they must acknowledge the professional and personal harm caused by the unfounded accusations. 

This case is a poignant example for school districts of the delicate balance required in professional misconduct investigations. It highlights the critical need for school districts to conduct comprehensive, unbiased, and thorough investigations before bringing serious charges against administrators. The arbitrary pursuit of allegations without substantive evidence can cause irreparable damage to professional reputations and careers. 

For school administrators, the Dorr case offers a crucial lesson in the importance of due process and the value of robust legal representation. It demonstrates that a meticulously prepared defense can expose the weaknesses in hastily constructed accusations. It also emphasizes the importance of documentation as an administrator. Dorr’s defense was greatly aided by the meticulous notes and records that she kept pertaining to her work as building principal. This was only further highlighted by the district’s relative inability to produce documentation from their investigation and ultimately was one of the factors that swayed the outcome of the case in Dorr’s favor.  

This arbitration stands as a testament to the importance of protecting professional integrity and ensuring that disciplinary actions are based on clear, credible evidence rather than speculation or rumor. If you are in a situation in which you feel that your district may begin pursuing disciplinary action via a 3020(a) arbitration, contact your union representative and SAANYS legal counsel to see what options you have for recourse.