New Milford teacher retires after investigation Stephen Flanagan retiring: Report issued on his interaction with female student

Stephen Flanagan, history teacher at New Milford High School. Stephen Flanagan, history teacher at New Milford High School. Photo: Contributed Photo Photo: Contributed Photo Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close New Milford teacher retires after investigation 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

NEW MILFORD -- Longtime New Milford High School teacher Stephen Flanagan has retired from his position following an investigation into a sexual harassment claim against him, according to a report released Thursday.

The report on the school district's investigation, obtained by The New-Times, concludes that while there were no indications Flanagan's actions "were motivated by sexual desire or interest," he is unable or unwilling to follow Board of Education policies.

The popular social studies teacher has received strong support from students, former students and colleagues since he was suspended from his teaching duties earlier this month after a fellow staff member filed a formal complaint of sexual or other unlawful harassment.

The report states that Flanagan, who has worked for 26 years in the district, provided officials with a notice of his intent to retire at the end of the school year, after being verbally apprised of the investigation's findings.

He was also granted a leave of absence until the end of the school year.

The complaint filed against Flanagan claims he missed a staff meeting and was quite late to another because he was meeting with a female student "to provide emotional support."

According to the document, the staff member who filed the complaint had observed Flanagan "sitting with the student while rubbing her back in a circular, up and down motion."

More Information At a glance An investigation into a complaint lodged against longtime New Milford High School teacher Stephen Flanagan concerning interaction with a female student found that while his intentions were not sexual, he had shown an unwillingness or inability to comply with district policies. An educator who had worked with Flanagan for more than 20 years said that while Flanagan's behavior doesn't always fit the model, he always had students' best interests at heart.

The complaint was found to be "credible," according to the report, which said Flanagan "used his personal funds to assist the student with the college process."

The report noted that Flanagan had been disciplined earlier this year following a complaint filed by the parent of another female student charging "inappropriate conduct and gifts by Mr. Flanagan towards that student."

At the time, the report states, Flanagan had been warned about his responsibility to comply with board policies and follow the proper procedures "should he feel the need to attend to the emotional needs of students in the future."

High school PTO President Angela Chastain, whose eldest son is enrolled in Flanagan's AP history class, said he was the kind of teacher students felt comfortable approaching if they had a problem.

"I believe he was a very caring teacher," Chastain said. "Maybe his actions were misrepresented. He was a good teacher, and this will be hard for the students. It's a loss to the district."

She added, however that she's happy the situation came to a quick resolution and hopes the district finds a well-qualified educator to replace Flanagan.

Brock Putnam, an educator who worked alongside Flanagan in the school's history department for more than two decades before his retirement last year, said "Sometimes people can't see what's right in front of them."

"Steve's behavior may not have always conformed to the model people wanted it to," Putnam observed, "but it was always with the best interests of the kids at heart, without fail."

Putnam added that while he doesn't know who filed the complaint against Flanagan, "If this came from someone who has known Steve for a while, it's hard for me to believe the (complainant's) motives were pure."

"The thought had certainly crossed my mind," Putnam said, adding that school politics can rival those of a national presidential race.

"I'm very concerned about the way things are going right now," he said. "It's a shame to see someone so good get tossed out of the boat."

Neither Superintendent JeanAnn Paddyfote nor Board of Education Chairwoman Wendy Faulenbach could be reached for comment despite repeated attempts by The News-Times on Thursday.

Flanagan also could not be reached for comment.

Contact Dirk Perrefort

at dperrefort@newstimes.com

or at 203-731-3358.