Preview
FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 11/27/2023 04:36 PM INDEX NO. 805265/2020
NYSCEF DOC. NO. 157 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/27/2023
EXHIBIT E
FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 11/27/2023 04:36 PM INDEX NO. 805265/2020
NYSCEF DOC. NO. 157 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/27/2023
JOHN BRINKER
STATE OF NEW YORK
SUPREME COURT : COUNTY OF ERIE
----------------------------------------------------
N.J.S., an Infant, by and through her
Parent and Natural Guardian,
MICHELE SARDO and
MICHELE SARDO, Individually,
Plaintiffs,
-vs-
WEST SENECA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT,
WEST SENECA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF EDUCATION and
WEST SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL,
Defendants.
----------------------------------------------------
WEST SENECA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT,
WEST SENECA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF EDUCATION and
WEST SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL,
Third-Party Plaintiffs,
-vs-
CHRYSTLER LEE STORTZ,
MICHAEL JAMES STORTZ,
BARBARA ANNE STORTZ and
HEATHER A. THIBEAULT
a/k/a HEATHER A. STORTZ,
Third-Party Defendants.
FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 11/27/2023 04:36 PM INDEX NO. 805265/2020
NYSCEF DOC. NO. 157 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/27/2023
2
Examination Before Trial of
JOHN BRINKER, taken pursuant to Notice under Article 31 of
the Civil Practice Law and Rules, in the law offices of
LIPSITZ GREEN SCIME CAMBRIA LLP, 42 Delaware Avenue, Suite
120, Buffalo, New York, taken on May 31, 2023, commencing at
1:04 P.M., before VALERIE A. ROSATI, Notary Public.
Sue Ann Simonin Court Reporting
FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 11/27/2023 04:36 PM INDEX NO. 805265/2020
NYSCEF DOC. NO. 157 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/27/2023
3
1 INDEX TO WITNESSES
2
3
4 Witness: JOHN BRINKER Page
5 Examination By:
6 Mr. Hall 7
7 Mr. Lent 131
8 Mr. Krull 139
9 Mr. Hall 144
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
Sue Ann Simonin Court Reporting
FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 11/27/2023 04:36 PM INDEX NO. 805265/2020
NYSCEF DOC. NO. 157 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/27/2023
4
1 INDEX TO EXHIBITS
2
3
4 Exhibits For Identification
5 7 West Seneca School District 16
Code of Conduct 2019-2020
6
8 West Seneca Police Department 55
7 Police Report for Forcible
Touch dated April 15, 2015
8
9 West Seneca Police Department 55
9 Police Report for Rape Offense
dated June 5, 2019
10
10 one-page Listing of Camera 55
11 Locations
12 11 two-page Printout of E-mails 101
13 12 Document entitled Dignity for 101
All Students Act (DASA)
14
13 DASA Reporting Form 101
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
Sue Ann Simonin Court Reporting
FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 11/27/2023 04:36 PM INDEX NO. 805265/2020
NYSCEF DOC. NO. 157 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/27/2023
5
1 INDEX TO DOCUMENT REQUESTS
2
3
4 Page, Line Description
5 81 16 Who was on your safety team in the year
prior to this incident
6
97 20 Description of where cameras are located
7 as reflected in Exhibit 10
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
Sue Ann Simonin Court Reporting
FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 11/27/2023 04:36 PM INDEX NO. 805265/2020
NYSCEF DOC. NO. 157 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/27/2023
6
1 A P P E A R A N C E S:
2 C A N T O R, W O L F F, N I C A S T R O & H A L L L L C ,
B y R I C H A R D A . H A L L, E S Q . ,
3 a n d J O S E P H L . N I C A S T R O, E S Q . ,
2 1 4 0 M a i n P l a c e T o w e r,
4 3 5 0 M a i n S t r e e t,
B u f f a l o, N e w Y o r k 1 4 2 0 2,
5 A p p e a r i n g f o r t h e P l a i n t i f f s.
6 B A X T E R & S M I T H, P . C . ,
By LOUIS B. DINGELDEY JR., ESQ.,
7 1 8 2 D w y e r S t r e e t,
W e s t S e n e c a, N e w Y o r k 1 4 2 2 4,
8 Appearing for Defendants and
T h i r d- P a r t y P l a i n t i f f s.
9
LIPSITZ GREEN SCIME CAMBRIA LLP,
10 B y G R E G O R Y P . K R U L L, E S Q . ,
4 2 D e l a w a r e A v e n u e,
11 Suite 120,
B u f f a l o, N e w Y o r k 1 4 2 0 2- 3 9 2 4,
12 A p p e a r i n g f o r T h i r d- P a r t y D e f e n d a n t
C h r y s t l e r L e e S t o r z.
13
LIPPES MATHIAS LLP,
14 B y C A I T L I N E . O ' N E I L, E S Q . ,
5 0 F o u n t a i n P l a z a,
15 S u i t e 1 7 0 0,
B u f f a l o, N e w Y o r k 1 4 2 0 2,
16 A p p e a r i n g f o r T h i r d- P a r t y D e f e n d a n t s
Michael James Storz and
17 B a r b a r a A n n e S t o r t z.
18 M A R S H A L L D E N N E H E Y W A R N E R C O L E M A N & G O G G I N, P . C . ,
B y T H O M A S M . L E N T, E S Q . ,
19 7 1 7 S t a t e S t r e e t,
Suite 701,
20 E r i e, P e n n s y l v a n i a 1 6 5 0 1,
A p p e a r i n g f o r T h i r d- P a r t y D e f e n d a n t
21 Heather A. Thibeault a/k/a
H e a t h e r A . S t o r t z.
22
23
Sue Ann Simonin Court Reporting
FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 11/27/2023 04:36 PM INDEX NO. 805265/2020
NYSCEF DOC. NO. 157 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/27/2023
7
1 (The following stipulations were entered
2 i n t o b y a l l p a r t i e s. )
3 It is hereby stipulated by and between counsel
4 for the respective parties that the oath of the
5 R e f e r e e i s w a i v e d, t h a t f i l i n g a n d c e r t i f i c a t i o n
6 o f t h e t r a n s c r i p t a r e w a i v e d, a n d t h a t a l l
7 o b j e c t i o n s, e x c e p t a s t o t h e f o r m o f t h e
8 q u e s t i o n s, a r e r e s e r v e d u n t i l t h e t i m e o f t r i a l.
9
10 M R . D I N G E L D E Y: R e a d a n d s i g n, p l e a s e.
11
12 J O H N B R I N K E R,
13 ,
14 a f t e r b e i n g d u l y c a l l e d a n d s w o r n,
15 t e s t i f i e d a s f o l l o w s:
16
17 E X A M I N A T I O N B Y M R . H A L L:
18
19 Q. H o w a r e y o u d o i n g t o d a y?
20 A. G o o d. How are you?
21 Q. P r e t t y g o o d. I ' m s u r e y o u r a t t o r n e y' s a l r e a d y
22 t o l d y o u t h a t t h e r e' s a f e w t h i n g s t h a t h e l p t h e
23 court reporter out. You have to give verbal
Sue Ann Simonin Court Reporting
FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 11/27/2023 04:36 PM INDEX NO. 805265/2020
NYSCEF DOC. NO. 157 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/27/2023
8
1 r e s p o n s e s t o e v e r y q u e s t i o n, f o r e x a m p l e.
2 A. A l l r i g h t.
3 Q. S h e c a n ' t t a k e d o w n n o i s e s a n d h e a d n o d s. And
4 t h e n i n a d d i t i o n, i f y o u c o u l d j u s t w a i t u n t i l
5 I'm done asking the question before you give an
6 answer because it's hard for her to take down two
7 p e o p l e t a l ki n g a t t h e s a m e t i m e. O k a y?
8 A. Yes.
9 Q. A l l r i g h t. A r e y o u c u r r e n t l y e m p l o y e d?
10 A. Yes.
11 Q. W h e r e a r e y o u e m p l o y e d?
12 A. W e s t S e n e c a.
13 Q. A s w h a t?
14 A. P r i n c i p a l.
15 Q. O k a y. S o y o u ' r e t h e p r i n c i p a l o f w h a t?
16 A. W e s t S e n e c a W e s t S e n i o r H i g h S c h o o l.
17 Q. And how long have you been the principal of
18 t h a t i n s t i t u t i o n?
19 A. T w e l v e y e a r s.
20 Q. T w e l v e y e a r s?
21 A. I may be off by one or two. I s h o w e d u p i n 2 0 0 8.
22 Q. 2 0 0 8.
23 A. B u t I w a s a n a s s i s t a n t f o r t h r e e y e a r s.
Sue Ann Simonin Court Reporting
FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 11/27/2023 04:36 PM INDEX NO. 805265/2020
NYSCEF DOC. NO. 157 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/27/2023
9
1 Q. S o y o u s e r v e d - - w h e n y o u g o t t o W e s t S e n e c a, y o u
2 s e r v ed a s t h e a s s i s t a n t p r i n c i p a l f o r a f e w
3 y e a r s?
4 A. C o r r e c t.
5 Q. O k a y. A n d p r i o r t o t h a t, w h e r e w e r e y o u ?
6 A. I w a s a t e a c h e r a t P i o n e e r H i g h S c h o o l.
7 Q. A l l r i g h t.
8 A. I n A r c a d e.
9 Q. And what kind of teacher were you?
10 A. S o c i a l s t u d i e s.
11 Q. A l l r i g h t. A n d p r i o r t o t h a t?
12 A. I w a s i n s c h o o l.
13 Q. O k a y. So you went from college -- did you do --
14 d i d y o u g e t a g r a d u a t e d e g r e e?
15 A. Y e a h, I d i d . B u t n o t b e f o r e t e a c h i n g.
16 Q. A l l r i g h t. And what is your graduate degree in?
17 A. H i s t o r y.
18 Q. And did you take any specific course of study for
19 b e i n g a p r i n c i p a l?
20 A. Yes.
21 Q. A n d w h a t d i d t h a t i n v o l v e?
22 A. G e t t i n g m y a d m i n d e g r e e.
23 Q. O k a y. A n d w h e n d i d y o u d o t h a t?
Sue Ann Simonin Court Reporting
FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 11/27/2023 04:36 PM INDEX NO. 805265/2020
NYSCEF DOC. NO. 157 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/27/2023
10
1 A. Prior to '08. I d o n ' t h a v e e x a c t t i m e s.
2 Q. N o , t h a t' s a l l r i g h t.
3 A. S o I w a s a t e a c h e r, a n d t h e n w h i l e I w a s a
4 t e a c h e r, I w e n t t o C a n i s i u s t o g e t m y a d m i n
5 d e g r e e.
6 Q. U n d e r s t o o d.
7 A. Yep.
8 Q. A n d s o y o u w e r e a t P i o n e e r. So school to Pioneer
9 t o W e s t S e n e c a?
10 A. Yes.
11 Q. A n d t h e n i n - - w h i l e y o u w e r e a t P i o n e e r, y o u
12 were at Canisius getting your graduate degree in
13 a d m i ni s t r a t i v e s t u d i e s?
14 A. Yes.
15 Q. O k a y. And have you been -- did you serve in any
16 other capacity at West Seneca Schools besides
17 a s s i s t a n t a n d p r i n c i p a l?
18 A. No.
19 Q. N o w - - a n d w e r e y o u t h e p r i n c i p a l a s o f 2 0 1 9?
20 A. Yes.
21 Q. O k a y. So you were the principal when the
22 i n c i d e n t t h a t w e ' r e h e r e f o r o c c u r r e d?
23 A. C o r r e c t.
Sue Ann Simonin Court Reporting
FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 11/27/2023 04:36 PM INDEX NO. 805265/2020
NYSCEF DOC. NO. 157 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/27/2023
11
1 Q. O k a y. And what would you consider your job
2 d u t i e s a s t h e p r i n c i p a l?
3 A. I a d m i n i s t e r t h e b u i l d i n g.
4 Q. O k a y. A n d w h a t d o e s t h a t m e a n?
5 A. It means a lot. We make sure we enforce the code
6 o f c o n d u c t, w e a d h e r e t o i t . We, we also make
7 sure that the students are on track to get a New
8 Y o r k S t a t e p u b l i c e d u c a t i o n.
9 Q. O k a y. I n a d d i t i o n t o t h a t, w h a t d o e s t h a t
10 i n c l u d e, a d m i n i s t e r i n g t h e b u i l d i n g?
11 A. M a k i n g s u r e t h e k i d s a t t e n d c l a s s e s, m a k i n g s u r e
12 t h a t t h e y' r e s t u d y i n g, m a k i n g s u r e t h a t t h e y' r e
13 p a s si n g , m a k i n g s u r e t h a t t h e s c h o o l i s s a f e.
14 Q. O k a y. And would you agree with me that part of
15 y o u r j o b i s p r o t e c t i n g c h i l d r e n f r o m h a z a r d s?
16 A. Yes.
17 Q. Protecting them --
18 M R . D I N G E L D E Y: F o r m.
19 M R . H A L L: W h a t' s t h e f o r m?
20 M R . D I N G E L D E Y: I t ' s a f o r m o b j e c t i o n.
21 M R . H A L L: I k n o w. You've got to give me the basis
22 so I can overcome it.
23 M R . D I N G E L D E Y: V a g u e. H a z a r ds i s a v e r y b r o a d t e r m.
Sue Ann Simonin Court Reporting
FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 11/27/2023 04:36 PM INDEX NO. 805265/2020
NYSCEF DOC. NO. 157 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/27/2023
12
1 B Y M R . H A L L:
2 Q. O k a y. I n t e r m s o f h a z a r d s, w h a t t y p e s o f h a z a r d s
3 are you in charge of trying to protect the
4 c h i l d r e n f r o m?
5 A. W e l l, o n e t h i n g t h a t w e d o i s w e h a v e f i r e, f i r e
6 d r i l l s, s t a t e m a n d a t e d. W e a l s o h a v e l o c kd o w n
7 d r i l l s.
8 Q. O k a y. A n y t h i n g e l s e?
9 A. W e m a k e s u r e t h e k i d s a r e s a f e. We mediate many
10 conflicts throughout the day.
11 Q. O k a y. Are you -- protecting children from
12 h a z a r d s a n d h a r m, d o e s t h a t i n c l u d e p r o t e c t i n g
13 t h e m f r o m o t h e r s t u d e n t s a t t i m e s?
14 A. Yes.
15 Q. O k a y.
16 A. T h a t' s w h a t I m e a n b y m e d i a t i o n. We have a
17 s c h o o l S R O i n t h e b u i l d i n g, s e r v e s m u l t i p l e
18 r o l e s.
19 Q. O k a y. And --
20 A. A n d w e h a v e a s e c u r i t y o f f i c e r.
21 Q. A n d w h o i s t h a t?
22 A. Who is it or what is it?
23 Q. Who is it?
Sue Ann Simonin Court Reporting
FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 11/27/2023 04:36 PM INDEX NO. 805265/2020
NYSCEF DOC. NO. 157 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/27/2023
13
1 A. I t ' s m a n y d i f f e r e n t p e o p l e. They work eight
2 h o u r s a d a y i n t h e s c h o o l s.
3 Q. O k a y. A t t h e t i m e o f t h i s i n c i d e n t i n 2 0 1 9, w h o
4 w a s t h e s e c u r i t y o f f i c e r?
5 A. I d o n o t k n o w t h a t.
6 Q. Do you have a record of who that would be?
7 A. T h e c e n t r a l o f f i c e w o u l d k n o w.
8 Q. Have you ever heard of a man by the name of
9 U r b a n e k?
10 A. D a v e, y e s . H e d o e s n' t w o r k i n o u r b u i l d i n g,
11 t h o u g h.
12 Q. O k a y.
13 A. H e ' s i n c h a r g e o f t h e s e c u r i t y o f f i c e r s, b u t
14 n o t - - h e d o e s n' t w o r k i n m y b u i l d i n g.
15 Q. O k a y.
16 A. D a v e i s t h e s u p e r v i s o r, k i n d o f t h e
17 s u p e r i n t e n d e n t o f s e c u r i t y o f f i c e r s.
18 Q. A l l r i g h t. A n d w h e n y o u s a y h e d o e s n' t w o r k i n
19 y o u r b u i l di n g , w h a t a b o u t i n 2 0 1 9, w a s t h a t t h e
20 s a m e?
21 A. H e ' s n e v e r d o n e a s h i f t a t W e s t S e n i o r.
22 Q. O k a y.
23 A. N e v e r. T h a t' s n o t h i s r o l e.
Sue Ann Simonin Court Reporting
FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 11/27/2023 04:36 PM INDEX NO. 805265/2020
NYSCEF DOC. NO. 157 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/27/2023
14
1 Q. O k a y. And is there a record of who actually did
2 shifts at West Senior --
3 A. There should be.
4 Q. O k a y. I k n o w t h i s i s n o t a t n o r m a l s i t u a t i o n.
5 H a v e y o u e v e r d o n e a d e p o s i t i o n b e f o r e?
6 A. No.
7 Q. O k a y. If you could just let me get my full
8 question out, even if you know exactly where I'm
9 g o i n g. I t ' s a l l r i g h t. Everyone does it.
10 A. Have I been interrupting you?
11 Q. I'm just trying to help her out a little bit
12 m o r e.
13 A. O k a y.
14 Q. So is there a record of the people that would
15 h a v e d o n e t h e s e c u r i t y b a c k i n 2 0 1 9?
16 A. I believe so.
17 Q. O k a y. A n d , g e n e r a l l y, b a c k i n 2 0 1 9, h o w m a n y
18 s e c u r i t y p e r s o n n e l w o u l d b e i n t h e b u i l d i n g?
19 A. One.
20 Q. O k a y. So there was -- and you said they -- does
21 t h a t p e r s o n w o r k o n e e i g h t- h o u r s h i f t?
22 A. Yes.
23 Q. A n d t h a t w a s - - a g a i n, t h a t' s b a c k i n 2 0 1 9 I ' m
Sue Ann Simonin Court Reporting
FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 11/27/2023 04:36 PM INDEX NO. 805265/2020
NYSCEF DOC. NO. 157 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/27/2023
15
1 r e f e r e n c i n g.
2 A. Yes.
3 Q. O k a y. And you don't -- do you have any idea who
4 that might be?
5 A. No.
6 Q. Now, that one person is in charge of security for
7 t h e e n t i r e b u i l d i n g?
8 A. Yes.
9 Q. D o e s t h a t a l s o i n c l u d e t h e s c h o o l g r o u n d s?
10 A. No.
11 Q. W h o i s i n c h a r g e o f s e c u r i t y f o r t h e g r o u n d s?
12 A. T h a t s e c u r i t y g u a r d w o r k s o u t o f t h e f o y e r. So
13 his job is to make sure that nobody comes through
14 t h e f o y e r.
15 Q. O k a y. So the person you're referencing from
16 2 0 1 9, t h e o n e s e c u r i t y g u a r d i n t h e b u i l d i n g, h i s
17 j o b i s t o m a i n t a i n t h e f o y e r?
18 A. C o r r e c t.
19 Q. A n d h e d o e s n' t g o a n y w h e r e e l s e?
20 A. No.
21 Q. O k a y. A n d , a g a i n, j u s t s o I ' m c l e a r f o r t h e
22 r e c o r d, t h e r e w a s n o o n e i n a d d i t i o n t o h i m b a c k
23 i n 2 0 1 9?
Sue Ann Simonin Court Reporting
FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 11/27/2023 04:36 PM INDEX NO. 805265/2020
NYSCEF DOC. NO. 157 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/27/2023
16
1 A. N o p e.
2 M R . H A L L: O k a y. N o w - - c a n I h a v e t h i s m a r k e d,
3 p l e a s e.
4
5 ( W h e r e u p o n, t h e W e s t S e n e c a S c h o o l D i s t r i c t
6 C o d e o f C o n d u c t 2 0 1 9- 2 0 2 0 w a s t h e n r e c e i v e d a n d
7 m a r k e d a s E x h i b i t 7 , f o r i d e n t i f i c a t i o n. )
8
9 B Y M R . H A L L:
10 Q. A l l r i g h t, s i r . I ' m s h o w i n g y o u w h a t' s b e e n
11 marked as Exhibit 7. Do you recognize that
12 d o c u m e n t?
13 A. Yes.
14 Q. O k a y. And is that the 2019 to 2020 code of
15 c o n d u c t f o r W e s t S e n e c a C e n t r a l S c h o o l D i s t r i c t?
16 A. T h a t' s w h a t i t s a y s, y e s .
17 Q. O k a y. And this is the code of conduct that would
18 h a v e g o v e r n e d y o u r s c h o o l a s w e l l, c o r r e c t?
19 A. Yes.
20 Q. And this is the code of conduct that you were
21 referencing earlier that part of your job is
22 e n f o r c i n g, c o r r e c t?
23 A. C o r r e c t.
Sue Ann Simonin Court Reporting
FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 11/27/2023 04:36 PM INDEX NO. 805265/2020
NYSCEF DOC. NO. 157 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/27/2023
17
1 Q. O k a y. Now, if you can just jump to page nine for
2 me.
3 Now, just so I'm clear from what you said so
4 far, would you agree with me that one of your
5 j o b s i s t o e n f o r c e t h e r u l e s, g u i d el i n e s,
6 policies and procedures adopted by the School
7 D i s t r i c t?
8 A. Yes.
9 Q. O k a y. A n d i n a d d i t i o n o n p a g e n i n e, s p e c i f i c a l l y
10 t h e r e' s l i s t e d e x p e c t a t i o n s f o r p r i n c i p a l s,
11 c o r r e c t?
12 A. Yes.
13 Q. A l l r i g h t. I t ' s a b o u t h a l f w a y d o w n t h e p a g e. Is
14 t h a t t r u e?
15 A. Yes.
16 Q. O k a y. A n d n u m b e r o n e i s , p r o m o t e a s a f e, o r d e r l y
17 s c h o o l e n v i r o n m e n t s u p p o r t i n g a c t i v e t e a c hi n g a n d
18 l e a r n i n g.
19 I s t h a t w h a t t h a t s a y s?
20 A. Yes.
21 Q. O k a y. And what does that mean to you?
22 A. T h a t m e a n s f r o m t h e s a f e t y s t a n d p o i n t, s e c u r i t y,
23 n o b o d y c o m e s o n s c h o o l g r o u n ds t h a t' s n o t
Sue Ann Simonin Court Reporting
FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 11/27/2023 04:36 PM INDEX NO. 805265/2020
NYSCEF DOC. NO. 157 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/27/2023
18
1 s u p p o se d t o .
2 Q. O k a y.
3 A. A n d i t a l s o m e a ns t h a t i f t h e r e' s c o n f l i c ts i n
4 t h e b u i l d i n g, w e r e s o l v e t h e m. It also means we
5 p r e v e n t s t u d e n t s f r o m h a r m i n g o t h e r s t u d e n t s.
6 Q. O k a y.
7 A. O u t s i d e, i n s i d e. A n d s t a f f.
8 Q. A l l r i g h t. And do you have procedures set in
9 p l a c e t o t r y a n d a c c o m p l i s h t h o s e g o a l s?
10 A. Yes.
11 Q. A l l r i g h t. A n d t h e n, a l s o, I ' d j u s t l i k e t o
12 h i g hl i g h t n u m b e r f i v e t h e r e. It indicates that
13 one of your expectations is, to be responsible
14 for enforcing the West Seneca School code of
15 c o n d u c t a n d e n s u r i n g t h a t a l l c a s es a r e r e s o l v e d
16 p r o m p t l y a n d f a i r l y, a n d w h e n n e c e s s a r y,
17 a p p r o p r i a t e l y d o c u m e n t i n g a c t i o n s.
18 I s t h a t w h a t t h a t s a y s?
19 A. Yes.
20 Q. A l l r i g h t. A n d t h e p a r t o f - - t h a t I w a n te d t o
21 highlight again is that you are to document the
22 a c t i o n s t h a t a r e t a k en i n r e s p o n s e t o t h a t. Is
23 that part of your job?
Sue Ann Simonin Court Reporting
FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 11/27/2023 04:36 PM INDEX NO. 805265/2020
NYSCEF DOC. NO. 157 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/27/2023
19
1 A. I d o n ' t u n d e r s t a n d. C o u l d y o u a s k t h e q u e s t i o n?
2 Q. When something happens pursuant to number five
3 t h e r e, y o u ' r e t o d o c u m e n t y o u r a c t i o ns w h e n i t ' s
4 a p p r o p r i a t e, c o r r e c t?
5 A. We do.
6 Q. O k a y. And do you have a specific protocol for
7 d o c u m e n t i n g w h e n a n d w h e n y o u d o n o t d o c u m e n t?
8 A. W h a t' s t h e q u e s t i o n?
9 Q. I n o t h e r w o r d s, w h e n d o y o u d o c u m e n t s o m e t h i n g,
10 when do you not? Because it says when it's
11 a p p r o p r i a t e b a s i c a l l y. When necessary and
12 a p p r o p r i a t e. So I'm trying to ask you if you
13 have a specific protocol for determining that or
14 i s i t o n a c a s e- b y - c a s e b a s i s.
15 A. I d o n ' t k n o w i f w e w o u l d e v e r n o t d o c u m e n t.
16 Q. O k a y.
17 A. So the protocol would be we would -- we document
18 e v e r y t h i n g.
19 Q. A l l r i g h t.
20 A. Y o u k n o w, w e h a v e a - - d o y o u k n o w - - a r e y o u
21 familiar with what VADIR is?
22 Q. Yes.
23 A. We have a pretty extensive documenting catalog of
Sue Ann Simonin Court Reporting
FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 11/27/2023 04:36 PM INDEX NO. 805265/2020
NYSCEF DOC. NO. 157 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/27/2023
20
1 every incident that we do. A n y i n c id e n t t h a t i s
2 written up or anything that is a violation of the
3 c o d e o f c o n d u c t, w e d o d o c u m e n t.
4 Q. U n d e r s t o o d. So take me through the -- I know you
5 m e n t i o n e d V A D I R, b u t t a k e m e t h r o u g h t h e
6 p r o c e d u r e f o r t h a t. What happens and how does it
7 w o r k?
8 A. I ' l l m a k e a s c e n a r i o. A student is late for
9 c l a s s. T h e t e a c h e r w o u l d w r i t e u p t h e s t u d e n t.
10 T h e w r i te - u p w o u l d g o t o t h e a s s i s t a n t p r i n c i p a l.
11 The assistant principal would give out some sort
12 o f c o n s e q u e n c e.
13 T h e r e' s a f i g h t i n t h e b a t h r o o m. Probably
14 w o u l d n' t b e w i t n e s s e d b y a t e a c h e r b e c a u s e i t ' s
15 a -- but, those students would report it. If
16 t h e y r e p o r t i t t o a t e a c h e r, t h e t e a c he r w o u l d
17 s e n d t h e s t u d e n t s d o w n. We'd investigate the
18 s t u d e n t s, f i n d o u t i f t h e r e' s a f i g h t a n d t h e n w e
19 w o u l d h o l d t h e k i d s a c c o u n t a b l e. So everything
20 w o u l d b e d o c u m e n t e d.
21 Q. A l l r i g h t. S o , a g a i n, t h e d o c u m e n ti n g - - t h e
22 a c t u a l d o c u m e n t i n g, w h a t s t e p s a r e t h e y s u p p o s e d
23 t o f o l l o w s p e c i f i c a l l y?
Sue Ann Simonin Court Reporting
FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 11/27/2023 04:36 PM INDEX NO. 805265/2020
NYSCEF DOC. NO. 157 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/27/2023
21
1 A. I d o n ' t u n d e r s t a n d.
2 Q. L i k e a n i n c i d e n t h a p p e ns i n t h e b a t h r o o m y o u
3 d e s c r i b ed . What are they supposed to do and how
4 a r e t h e y s u p p o s e d t o d o t h a t?
5 A. W h o i s t h e y?
6 Q. T h e t e a c h e r s t h a t d o c u m e n t t h i s.
7 A. T h e y w o u l d - - t h e r e' s a f o r m t h a t t h e y w o u l d - -
8 s t u d e n t i n c i d e n t f o r m.
9 Q. O k a y.
10 A. They would write it up. They would send it to
11 t h e a s s i s t a n t p r i n c i p a l s.
12 Q. A l l r i g h t. And then what do the assistant
13 p r i n c i p a l s d o w i t h t h a t?
14 A. T h e y w o u l d i n v e s t i g a t e i t a n d t h e n - - a f i g h t,
15 t h e y w o u l d b e s u s p e n d e d, a n d i t w o u l d b e p a r t o f
16 t h e s t u d e n t' s r e c o r d.
17 Q. O k a y. S o t h e r e' s e s s e n t i a l l y a p a p e r t r i a l f o r
18 e v e r y i n c i d e n t t h a t' s a v i o l a t i o n o f t h e c o d e o f
19 c o n d u c t?
20 A. Yes.
21 Q. A n d i s t h e r e a n y o f t h a t d o n e o u t s i d e o f V A D I R?
22 A. I d o n ' t u n d e r s t a n d t h a t.
23 Q. M e a n i n g i s t h e r e a n y a d d i t i o n a l d o c u m e n t a t i o n,
Sue Ann Simonin Court Reporting
FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 11/27/2023 04:36 PM INDEX NO. 805265/2020
NYSCEF DOC. NO. 157 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/27/2023
22
1 b e s i d e s w h a t' s i n V A D I R?
2 A. Yes.
3 Q. O k a y. T a k e m e t h r o u g h t h a t, p l e a s e.
4 A. W e l l, V A D I R i s j u s t a s u b s e t o f a s t u d e n t' s
5 i n c i d e n t. So anytime a student violates the code
6 o f c o n d u c t, i t w o u l d b e p a r t o f t h e i r p e r m a n e n t
7 r e c o r d.
8 Q. O k a y. And then you compile them in the
9 i n d i v i d u a l s t u d e n t' s f i l e s?
10 A. Yes.
11 Q. Do you keep a generalized database separate from
12 t h e s t u d e n t' s p e r s o n a l f i l e s o f i n c i d e n ts t h a t
13 o c c u r o n t h e p r o p e r t y? So you know how many code
14 o f c o n d u c t v i o l a t i o n s, f o r e x a m p l e, o c c u r i n a
15 y e a r.
16 A. T h a t' s p a r t o f P o w e rS c h o o l.
17 Q. O k a y.
18 A. W e c a n g a t h e r a l l t h a t f r o m P o w e rS c h o o l.
19 Q. U n d e r s t o o d. O k a y. So you can access in
20 PowerSchool how often a code of conduct violation
21 o c c u r s?
22 A. T h a t' s t h e g o a l.
23 Q. O k a y.
Sue Ann Simonin Court Reporting
FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 11/27/2023 04:36 PM INDEX NO. 805265/2020
NYSCEF DOC. NO. 157 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/27/2023
23
1 A. T h a t' s w h a t w e l o o k a t i n t h e s u m m e r t o t r y a n d
2 see.
3 Q. That was going to be my next question for you.
4 H o w o f t e n d o y o u g u y s r e v i e w t h a t? Is it once in
5 the summer or --
6 A. No. T h a t' s w h e n w e l o o k a t t h e a g g r e g a t e. And
7 then we are constantly reviewing it periodically
8 t h r o u g h o u t t h e y e a r.
9 Q. A l l r i g h t. Now, do these code of conduct
10 v i o l a t i o n s i n c l u d e s e x u a l m i s c o n d u c t?
11 A. Yes.
12 Q. A l l r i g h t. A n d i s t h e r e a s e p a r a t e d a t ab a s e f o r
13 t h e s e x u a l m i s c o n d u c t? Are they treated any
14 d i f f e r e n t l y?
15 A. No.
16 Q. Do you have a way to delineate between code of
17 conduct violations as to what type they are?
18 A. Yes.
19 Q. A n d h o w i s t h a t?
20 A. We would run a different report -- I don't know
21 how they do it, but we run that through
22 P o w e r S c h o o l. T h a t' s w h a t w e d o p e r i o d i c a l l y.
23 W h e r e, w h e n, h o w a v i o l a t i o n i s o c c u r r i n g.
Sue Ann Simonin Court Reporting
FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 11/27/2023 04:36 PM INDEX NO. 805265/2020
NYSCEF DOC. NO. 157 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/27/2023
24
1 Q. A n d f o r g i v e m y i g n o r a n c e h e r e, b u t h o w d i d t h a t
2 a p p e a r? I n o t h e r w o r d s, w h a t d o e s t h a t l o o k
3 l i k e? L i k e i f y o u r a n t h a t r e p o r t t o d a y, w h a t
4 d o e s i t l o o k l i k e? I s i t a s t a n d a r d g r a p h,
5 n u m b e r s?
6 A. I t w o u l d h a v e - - P o w e r S c h o o l i s c l u n k y. It would
7 j u s t s h o w t h e n u m b e r - - y e a h, i t w o u l d b e i n
8 g r a p h f o r m. It would show the numbers of -- it
9 w o u l d s h o w a n u m b e r o f i n c i d e n t s. If it's -- I'm
10 t r y i n g t o e x p l a i n t h i s. I can see it. I just
11 can't verbalize it. So it would be -- and we can
12 d o t h i s f o r a n y s t u d e n t. If a student --
13 Q. W h a t p a g e a r e y o u r e f e r e n c i n g?
14 A. P a g e e l e v e n.
15 Q. A l l r i g h t.
16 A. O r y o u c a n g o t o p a g e t w e l v e. H o w a b o u t t w e l v e.
17 Q. O k a y.
18 A. I t w o u l d s a y - - i t w o u l d s h o w m e B v i o l a t i o n s.
19 So all the Bs would come up, all the Cs would
20 come up, all the B1s would come up, all the B2s
21 would come up, all the B3s.
22 Q. G o t c h a.
23 A. So we can --
Sue Ann Simonin Court Reporting
FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 11/27/2023 04:36 PM INDEX NO. 805265/2020
NYSCEF DOC. NO. 157 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/27/2023
25
1 Q. Let me just stop you there so we're -- part of
2 t h i s i s w h e n w e r e a d t h i s b a c k, w e ' r e n o t g o i n g
3 t o k n o w w h a t t h a t m e a n s. I think I know what it
4 means right now, but I'm just going to clarify
5 f o r t h e r e c o r d.
6 A. O k a y.
7 Q. S o w h a t y o u ' r e r e f e r e n c i n g, A , B a n d C
8 v i o l a t i o n s, t h o s e a r e d r a w n o u t i n t h e c o d e o f
9 c o n d u c t o n p a g e e l e v e n a n d t w e l v e, c o r r e c t?
10 A. Yes.
11 Q. And continues onto page thirteen and fourteen it
12 l o o k s l i k e.
13 A. Yes.
14 Q. O k a y. S o w h e n t h e r e' s a c o d e o f c o n d u c t
15 v i o l a t i o n, t h e y' r e c a t e g o r i z e d. F o r e x a m p l e,
16 u s i n g p r o h i b i t e d s t u d e n t c o n d u c t, a s r e f e r e n c e d
17 o n p a g e e l e v e n, A 1 w o u l d b e - - a n d A i s e n g a g e i n
18 c o n d u c t t h a t i s d i s r u p t i v e, i n s u b o r d i n a t e,
19 d i s o r d e r l y. And A1 would be running in the
20 h a l l s.
21 A. Yes.
22 Q. S o t h a t' s h o w y o u g u y s d o c u m e n t i t ?
23 A. Yes.
Sue Ann Simonin Court Reporting
FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 11/27/2023 04:36 PM INDEX NO. 805265/2020
NYSCEF DOC. NO. 157 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/27/2023
26
1 Q. A l l r i g h t. So you could run a report showing the
2 a m o u n t o f s p e c i f i c v i o l a t i o n s t h r o u g h P o w e r Sc h o o l
3 f o r 2 0 1 9?
4 A. We may not.
5 Q. W h y i s t h a t?
6 A. Because the District switched how they document
7 t h i s. I t u s e d t o b e h e l d i n a s t u d e n t' s i n c i d e n t
8 t h i n g o n - - i t u s e d t o b e h e l d i n a s t u d e n t' s l o g
9 e n t r i e s. W e s w i t c h e d o v e r t o i n c i d e n ts a s a
10 p o l i c y s o w e c a n d o e x a c t l y w h a t y o u ' r e s a y i n g.
11 Q. O k a y. But there was a cataloging system back in
12 2 0 1 9, t h o u g h, t h a t c o u l d a c c o m p l i s h t h a t, j u s t i n
13 a different way?
14 A. No. Y o u c o u l d n' t d o t h e r e p o r t s t h a t I ' m
15 describing that we want to do now. P o s s i b l y. I
16 c a n ' t t e l l y o u w h a t d a t e w e s w i t c h e d o v e r, b u t
17 r e c e n t l y w e u s e d t o k e e p a l l t h e s t u d e n ts a n d l o g
18 e n t r i e s. Y o u c o u l d n o t d o t h e r e p o r t s.
19 Q. O k a y.
20 A. To do the reports we switched over to
21 PowerSchool -- let me get this right -- incident
22 r e p o r t s.
23 Q. U n d e r s t o o d. S o b a c k i n 2 0 1 9, h o w w o u l d y o u
Sue Ann Simonin Court Reporting
FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 11/27/2023 04:36 PM INDEX NO. 805265/2020
NYSCEF DOC. NO. 157
Preview
FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 11/27/2023 04:36 PM INDEX NO. 805265/2020 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 157 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/27/2023 EXHIBIT E FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 11/27/2023 04:36 PM INDEX NO. 805265/2020 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 157 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/27/2023 JOHN BRINKER STATE OF NEW YORK SUPREME COURT : COUNTY OF ERIE ---------------------------------------------------- N.J.S., an Infant, by and through her Parent and Natural Guardian, MICHELE SARDO and MICHELE SARDO, Individually, Plaintiffs, -vs- WEST SENECA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT, WEST SENECA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF EDUCATION and WEST SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL, Defendants. ---------------------------------------------------- WEST SENECA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT, WEST SENECA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF EDUCATION and WEST SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL, Third-Party Plaintiffs, -vs- CHRYSTLER LEE STORTZ, MICHAEL JAMES STORTZ, BARBARA ANNE STORTZ and HEATHER A. THIBEAULT a/k/a HEATHER A. STORTZ, Third-Party Defendants. FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 11/27/2023 04:36 PM INDEX NO. 805265/2020 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 157 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/27/2023 2 Examination Before Trial of JOHN BRINKER, taken pursuant to Notice under Article 31 of the Civil Practice Law and Rules, in the law offices of LIPSITZ GREEN SCIME CAMBRIA LLP, 42 Delaware Avenue, Suite 120, Buffalo, New York, taken on May 31, 2023, commencing at 1:04 P.M., before VALERIE A. ROSATI, Notary Public. Sue Ann Simonin Court Reporting FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 11/27/2023 04:36 PM INDEX NO. 805265/2020 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 157 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/27/2023 3 1 INDEX TO WITNESSES 2 3 4 Witness: JOHN BRINKER Page 5 Examination By: 6 Mr. Hall 7 7 Mr. Lent 131 8 Mr. Krull 139 9 Mr. Hall 144 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Sue Ann Simonin Court Reporting FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 11/27/2023 04:36 PM INDEX NO. 805265/2020 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 157 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/27/2023 4 1 INDEX TO EXHIBITS 2 3 4 Exhibits For Identification 5 7 West Seneca School District 16 Code of Conduct 2019-2020 6 8 West Seneca Police Department 55 7 Police Report for Forcible Touch dated April 15, 2015 8 9 West Seneca Police Department 55 9 Police Report for Rape Offense dated June 5, 2019 10 10 one-page Listing of Camera 55 11 Locations 12 11 two-page Printout of E-mails 101 13 12 Document entitled Dignity for 101 All Students Act (DASA) 14 13 DASA Reporting Form 101 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Sue Ann Simonin Court Reporting FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 11/27/2023 04:36 PM INDEX NO. 805265/2020 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 157 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/27/2023 5 1 INDEX TO DOCUMENT REQUESTS 2 3 4 Page, Line Description 5 81 16 Who was on your safety team in the year prior to this incident 6 97 20 Description of where cameras are located 7 as reflected in Exhibit 10 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Sue Ann Simonin Court Reporting FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 11/27/2023 04:36 PM INDEX NO. 805265/2020 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 157 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/27/2023 6 1 A P P E A R A N C E S: 2 C A N T O R, W O L F F, N I C A S T R O & H A L L L L C , B y R I C H A R D A . H A L L, E S Q . , 3 a n d J O S E P H L . N I C A S T R O, E S Q . , 2 1 4 0 M a i n P l a c e T o w e r, 4 3 5 0 M a i n S t r e e t, B u f f a l o, N e w Y o r k 1 4 2 0 2, 5 A p p e a r i n g f o r t h e P l a i n t i f f s. 6 B A X T E R & S M I T H, P . C . , By LOUIS B. DINGELDEY JR., ESQ., 7 1 8 2 D w y e r S t r e e t, W e s t S e n e c a, N e w Y o r k 1 4 2 2 4, 8 Appearing for Defendants and T h i r d- P a r t y P l a i n t i f f s. 9 LIPSITZ GREEN SCIME CAMBRIA LLP, 10 B y G R E G O R Y P . K R U L L, E S Q . , 4 2 D e l a w a r e A v e n u e, 11 Suite 120, B u f f a l o, N e w Y o r k 1 4 2 0 2- 3 9 2 4, 12 A p p e a r i n g f o r T h i r d- P a r t y D e f e n d a n t C h r y s t l e r L e e S t o r z. 13 LIPPES MATHIAS LLP, 14 B y C A I T L I N E . O ' N E I L, E S Q . , 5 0 F o u n t a i n P l a z a, 15 S u i t e 1 7 0 0, B u f f a l o, N e w Y o r k 1 4 2 0 2, 16 A p p e a r i n g f o r T h i r d- P a r t y D e f e n d a n t s Michael James Storz and 17 B a r b a r a A n n e S t o r t z. 18 M A R S H A L L D E N N E H E Y W A R N E R C O L E M A N & G O G G I N, P . C . , B y T H O M A S M . L E N T, E S Q . , 19 7 1 7 S t a t e S t r e e t, Suite 701, 20 E r i e, P e n n s y l v a n i a 1 6 5 0 1, A p p e a r i n g f o r T h i r d- P a r t y D e f e n d a n t 21 Heather A. Thibeault a/k/a H e a t h e r A . S t o r t z. 22 23 Sue Ann Simonin Court Reporting FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 11/27/2023 04:36 PM INDEX NO. 805265/2020 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 157 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/27/2023 7 1 (The following stipulations were entered 2 i n t o b y a l l p a r t i e s. ) 3 It is hereby stipulated by and between counsel 4 for the respective parties that the oath of the 5 R e f e r e e i s w a i v e d, t h a t f i l i n g a n d c e r t i f i c a t i o n 6 o f t h e t r a n s c r i p t a r e w a i v e d, a n d t h a t a l l 7 o b j e c t i o n s, e x c e p t a s t o t h e f o r m o f t h e 8 q u e s t i o n s, a r e r e s e r v e d u n t i l t h e t i m e o f t r i a l. 9 10 M R . D I N G E L D E Y: R e a d a n d s i g n, p l e a s e. 11 12 J O H N B R I N K E R, 13 , 14 a f t e r b e i n g d u l y c a l l e d a n d s w o r n, 15 t e s t i f i e d a s f o l l o w s: 16 17 E X A M I N A T I O N B Y M R . H A L L: 18 19 Q. H o w a r e y o u d o i n g t o d a y? 20 A. G o o d. How are you? 21 Q. P r e t t y g o o d. I ' m s u r e y o u r a t t o r n e y' s a l r e a d y 22 t o l d y o u t h a t t h e r e' s a f e w t h i n g s t h a t h e l p t h e 23 court reporter out. You have to give verbal Sue Ann Simonin Court Reporting FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 11/27/2023 04:36 PM INDEX NO. 805265/2020 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 157 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/27/2023 8 1 r e s p o n s e s t o e v e r y q u e s t i o n, f o r e x a m p l e. 2 A. A l l r i g h t. 3 Q. S h e c a n ' t t a k e d o w n n o i s e s a n d h e a d n o d s. And 4 t h e n i n a d d i t i o n, i f y o u c o u l d j u s t w a i t u n t i l 5 I'm done asking the question before you give an 6 answer because it's hard for her to take down two 7 p e o p l e t a l ki n g a t t h e s a m e t i m e. O k a y? 8 A. Yes. 9 Q. A l l r i g h t. A r e y o u c u r r e n t l y e m p l o y e d? 10 A. Yes. 11 Q. W h e r e a r e y o u e m p l o y e d? 12 A. W e s t S e n e c a. 13 Q. A s w h a t? 14 A. P r i n c i p a l. 15 Q. O k a y. S o y o u ' r e t h e p r i n c i p a l o f w h a t? 16 A. W e s t S e n e c a W e s t S e n i o r H i g h S c h o o l. 17 Q. And how long have you been the principal of 18 t h a t i n s t i t u t i o n? 19 A. T w e l v e y e a r s. 20 Q. T w e l v e y e a r s? 21 A. I may be off by one or two. I s h o w e d u p i n 2 0 0 8. 22 Q. 2 0 0 8. 23 A. B u t I w a s a n a s s i s t a n t f o r t h r e e y e a r s. Sue Ann Simonin Court Reporting FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 11/27/2023 04:36 PM INDEX NO. 805265/2020 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 157 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/27/2023 9 1 Q. S o y o u s e r v e d - - w h e n y o u g o t t o W e s t S e n e c a, y o u 2 s e r v ed a s t h e a s s i s t a n t p r i n c i p a l f o r a f e w 3 y e a r s? 4 A. C o r r e c t. 5 Q. O k a y. A n d p r i o r t o t h a t, w h e r e w e r e y o u ? 6 A. I w a s a t e a c h e r a t P i o n e e r H i g h S c h o o l. 7 Q. A l l r i g h t. 8 A. I n A r c a d e. 9 Q. And what kind of teacher were you? 10 A. S o c i a l s t u d i e s. 11 Q. A l l r i g h t. A n d p r i o r t o t h a t? 12 A. I w a s i n s c h o o l. 13 Q. O k a y. So you went from college -- did you do -- 14 d i d y o u g e t a g r a d u a t e d e g r e e? 15 A. Y e a h, I d i d . B u t n o t b e f o r e t e a c h i n g. 16 Q. A l l r i g h t. And what is your graduate degree in? 17 A. H i s t o r y. 18 Q. And did you take any specific course of study for 19 b e i n g a p r i n c i p a l? 20 A. Yes. 21 Q. A n d w h a t d i d t h a t i n v o l v e? 22 A. G e t t i n g m y a d m i n d e g r e e. 23 Q. O k a y. A n d w h e n d i d y o u d o t h a t? Sue Ann Simonin Court Reporting FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 11/27/2023 04:36 PM INDEX NO. 805265/2020 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 157 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/27/2023 10 1 A. Prior to '08. I d o n ' t h a v e e x a c t t i m e s. 2 Q. N o , t h a t' s a l l r i g h t. 3 A. S o I w a s a t e a c h e r, a n d t h e n w h i l e I w a s a 4 t e a c h e r, I w e n t t o C a n i s i u s t o g e t m y a d m i n 5 d e g r e e. 6 Q. U n d e r s t o o d. 7 A. Yep. 8 Q. A n d s o y o u w e r e a t P i o n e e r. So school to Pioneer 9 t o W e s t S e n e c a? 10 A. Yes. 11 Q. A n d t h e n i n - - w h i l e y o u w e r e a t P i o n e e r, y o u 12 were at Canisius getting your graduate degree in 13 a d m i ni s t r a t i v e s t u d i e s? 14 A. Yes. 15 Q. O k a y. And have you been -- did you serve in any 16 other capacity at West Seneca Schools besides 17 a s s i s t a n t a n d p r i n c i p a l? 18 A. No. 19 Q. N o w - - a n d w e r e y o u t h e p r i n c i p a l a s o f 2 0 1 9? 20 A. Yes. 21 Q. O k a y. So you were the principal when the 22 i n c i d e n t t h a t w e ' r e h e r e f o r o c c u r r e d? 23 A. C o r r e c t. Sue Ann Simonin Court Reporting FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 11/27/2023 04:36 PM INDEX NO. 805265/2020 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 157 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/27/2023 11 1 Q. O k a y. And what would you consider your job 2 d u t i e s a s t h e p r i n c i p a l? 3 A. I a d m i n i s t e r t h e b u i l d i n g. 4 Q. O k a y. A n d w h a t d o e s t h a t m e a n? 5 A. It means a lot. We make sure we enforce the code 6 o f c o n d u c t, w e a d h e r e t o i t . We, we also make 7 sure that the students are on track to get a New 8 Y o r k S t a t e p u b l i c e d u c a t i o n. 9 Q. O k a y. I n a d d i t i o n t o t h a t, w h a t d o e s t h a t 10 i n c l u d e, a d m i n i s t e r i n g t h e b u i l d i n g? 11 A. M a k i n g s u r e t h e k i d s a t t e n d c l a s s e s, m a k i n g s u r e 12 t h a t t h e y' r e s t u d y i n g, m a k i n g s u r e t h a t t h e y' r e 13 p a s si n g , m a k i n g s u r e t h a t t h e s c h o o l i s s a f e. 14 Q. O k a y. And would you agree with me that part of 15 y o u r j o b i s p r o t e c t i n g c h i l d r e n f r o m h a z a r d s? 16 A. Yes. 17 Q. Protecting them -- 18 M R . D I N G E L D E Y: F o r m. 19 M R . H A L L: W h a t' s t h e f o r m? 20 M R . D I N G E L D E Y: I t ' s a f o r m o b j e c t i o n. 21 M R . H A L L: I k n o w. You've got to give me the basis 22 so I can overcome it. 23 M R . D I N G E L D E Y: V a g u e. H a z a r ds i s a v e r y b r o a d t e r m. Sue Ann Simonin Court Reporting FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 11/27/2023 04:36 PM INDEX NO. 805265/2020 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 157 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/27/2023 12 1 B Y M R . H A L L: 2 Q. O k a y. I n t e r m s o f h a z a r d s, w h a t t y p e s o f h a z a r d s 3 are you in charge of trying to protect the 4 c h i l d r e n f r o m? 5 A. W e l l, o n e t h i n g t h a t w e d o i s w e h a v e f i r e, f i r e 6 d r i l l s, s t a t e m a n d a t e d. W e a l s o h a v e l o c kd o w n 7 d r i l l s. 8 Q. O k a y. A n y t h i n g e l s e? 9 A. W e m a k e s u r e t h e k i d s a r e s a f e. We mediate many 10 conflicts throughout the day. 11 Q. O k a y. Are you -- protecting children from 12 h a z a r d s a n d h a r m, d o e s t h a t i n c l u d e p r o t e c t i n g 13 t h e m f r o m o t h e r s t u d e n t s a t t i m e s? 14 A. Yes. 15 Q. O k a y. 16 A. T h a t' s w h a t I m e a n b y m e d i a t i o n. We have a 17 s c h o o l S R O i n t h e b u i l d i n g, s e r v e s m u l t i p l e 18 r o l e s. 19 Q. O k a y. And -- 20 A. A n d w e h a v e a s e c u r i t y o f f i c e r. 21 Q. A n d w h o i s t h a t? 22 A. Who is it or what is it? 23 Q. Who is it? Sue Ann Simonin Court Reporting FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 11/27/2023 04:36 PM INDEX NO. 805265/2020 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 157 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/27/2023 13 1 A. I t ' s m a n y d i f f e r e n t p e o p l e. They work eight 2 h o u r s a d a y i n t h e s c h o o l s. 3 Q. O k a y. A t t h e t i m e o f t h i s i n c i d e n t i n 2 0 1 9, w h o 4 w a s t h e s e c u r i t y o f f i c e r? 5 A. I d o n o t k n o w t h a t. 6 Q. Do you have a record of who that would be? 7 A. T h e c e n t r a l o f f i c e w o u l d k n o w. 8 Q. Have you ever heard of a man by the name of 9 U r b a n e k? 10 A. D a v e, y e s . H e d o e s n' t w o r k i n o u r b u i l d i n g, 11 t h o u g h. 12 Q. O k a y. 13 A. H e ' s i n c h a r g e o f t h e s e c u r i t y o f f i c e r s, b u t 14 n o t - - h e d o e s n' t w o r k i n m y b u i l d i n g. 15 Q. O k a y. 16 A. D a v e i s t h e s u p e r v i s o r, k i n d o f t h e 17 s u p e r i n t e n d e n t o f s e c u r i t y o f f i c e r s. 18 Q. A l l r i g h t. A n d w h e n y o u s a y h e d o e s n' t w o r k i n 19 y o u r b u i l di n g , w h a t a b o u t i n 2 0 1 9, w a s t h a t t h e 20 s a m e? 21 A. H e ' s n e v e r d o n e a s h i f t a t W e s t S e n i o r. 22 Q. O k a y. 23 A. N e v e r. T h a t' s n o t h i s r o l e. Sue Ann Simonin Court Reporting FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 11/27/2023 04:36 PM INDEX NO. 805265/2020 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 157 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/27/2023 14 1 Q. O k a y. And is there a record of who actually did 2 shifts at West Senior -- 3 A. There should be. 4 Q. O k a y. I k n o w t h i s i s n o t a t n o r m a l s i t u a t i o n. 5 H a v e y o u e v e r d o n e a d e p o s i t i o n b e f o r e? 6 A. No. 7 Q. O k a y. If you could just let me get my full 8 question out, even if you know exactly where I'm 9 g o i n g. I t ' s a l l r i g h t. Everyone does it. 10 A. Have I been interrupting you? 11 Q. I'm just trying to help her out a little bit 12 m o r e. 13 A. O k a y. 14 Q. So is there a record of the people that would 15 h a v e d o n e t h e s e c u r i t y b a c k i n 2 0 1 9? 16 A. I believe so. 17 Q. O k a y. A n d , g e n e r a l l y, b a c k i n 2 0 1 9, h o w m a n y 18 s e c u r i t y p e r s o n n e l w o u l d b e i n t h e b u i l d i n g? 19 A. One. 20 Q. O k a y. So there was -- and you said they -- does 21 t h a t p e r s o n w o r k o n e e i g h t- h o u r s h i f t? 22 A. Yes. 23 Q. A n d t h a t w a s - - a g a i n, t h a t' s b a c k i n 2 0 1 9 I ' m Sue Ann Simonin Court Reporting FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 11/27/2023 04:36 PM INDEX NO. 805265/2020 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 157 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/27/2023 15 1 r e f e r e n c i n g. 2 A. Yes. 3 Q. O k a y. And you don't -- do you have any idea who 4 that might be? 5 A. No. 6 Q. Now, that one person is in charge of security for 7 t h e e n t i r e b u i l d i n g? 8 A. Yes. 9 Q. D o e s t h a t a l s o i n c l u d e t h e s c h o o l g r o u n d s? 10 A. No. 11 Q. W h o i s i n c h a r g e o f s e c u r i t y f o r t h e g r o u n d s? 12 A. T h a t s e c u r i t y g u a r d w o r k s o u t o f t h e f o y e r. So 13 his job is to make sure that nobody comes through 14 t h e f o y e r. 15 Q. O k a y. So the person you're referencing from 16 2 0 1 9, t h e o n e s e c u r i t y g u a r d i n t h e b u i l d i n g, h i s 17 j o b i s t o m a i n t a i n t h e f o y e r? 18 A. C o r r e c t. 19 Q. A n d h e d o e s n' t g o a n y w h e r e e l s e? 20 A. No. 21 Q. O k a y. A n d , a g a i n, j u s t s o I ' m c l e a r f o r t h e 22 r e c o r d, t h e r e w a s n o o n e i n a d d i t i o n t o h i m b a c k 23 i n 2 0 1 9? Sue Ann Simonin Court Reporting FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 11/27/2023 04:36 PM INDEX NO. 805265/2020 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 157 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/27/2023 16 1 A. N o p e. 2 M R . H A L L: O k a y. N o w - - c a n I h a v e t h i s m a r k e d, 3 p l e a s e. 4 5 ( W h e r e u p o n, t h e W e s t S e n e c a S c h o o l D i s t r i c t 6 C o d e o f C o n d u c t 2 0 1 9- 2 0 2 0 w a s t h e n r e c e i v e d a n d 7 m a r k e d a s E x h i b i t 7 , f o r i d e n t i f i c a t i o n. ) 8 9 B Y M R . H A L L: 10 Q. A l l r i g h t, s i r . I ' m s h o w i n g y o u w h a t' s b e e n 11 marked as Exhibit 7. Do you recognize that 12 d o c u m e n t? 13 A. Yes. 14 Q. O k a y. And is that the 2019 to 2020 code of 15 c o n d u c t f o r W e s t S e n e c a C e n t r a l S c h o o l D i s t r i c t? 16 A. T h a t' s w h a t i t s a y s, y e s . 17 Q. O k a y. And this is the code of conduct that would 18 h a v e g o v e r n e d y o u r s c h o o l a s w e l l, c o r r e c t? 19 A. Yes. 20 Q. And this is the code of conduct that you were 21 referencing earlier that part of your job is 22 e n f o r c i n g, c o r r e c t? 23 A. C o r r e c t. Sue Ann Simonin Court Reporting FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 11/27/2023 04:36 PM INDEX NO. 805265/2020 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 157 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/27/2023 17 1 Q. O k a y. Now, if you can just jump to page nine for 2 me. 3 Now, just so I'm clear from what you said so 4 far, would you agree with me that one of your 5 j o b s i s t o e n f o r c e t h e r u l e s, g u i d el i n e s, 6 policies and procedures adopted by the School 7 D i s t r i c t? 8 A. Yes. 9 Q. O k a y. A n d i n a d d i t i o n o n p a g e n i n e, s p e c i f i c a l l y 10 t h e r e' s l i s t e d e x p e c t a t i o n s f o r p r i n c i p a l s, 11 c o r r e c t? 12 A. Yes. 13 Q. A l l r i g h t. I t ' s a b o u t h a l f w a y d o w n t h e p a g e. Is 14 t h a t t r u e? 15 A. Yes. 16 Q. O k a y. A n d n u m b e r o n e i s , p r o m o t e a s a f e, o r d e r l y 17 s c h o o l e n v i r o n m e n t s u p p o r t i n g a c t i v e t e a c hi n g a n d 18 l e a r n i n g. 19 I s t h a t w h a t t h a t s a y s? 20 A. Yes. 21 Q. O k a y. And what does that mean to you? 22 A. T h a t m e a n s f r o m t h e s a f e t y s t a n d p o i n t, s e c u r i t y, 23 n o b o d y c o m e s o n s c h o o l g r o u n ds t h a t' s n o t Sue Ann Simonin Court Reporting FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 11/27/2023 04:36 PM INDEX NO. 805265/2020 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 157 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/27/2023 18 1 s u p p o se d t o . 2 Q. O k a y. 3 A. A n d i t a l s o m e a ns t h a t i f t h e r e' s c o n f l i c ts i n 4 t h e b u i l d i n g, w e r e s o l v e t h e m. It also means we 5 p r e v e n t s t u d e n t s f r o m h a r m i n g o t h e r s t u d e n t s. 6 Q. O k a y. 7 A. O u t s i d e, i n s i d e. A n d s t a f f. 8 Q. A l l r i g h t. And do you have procedures set in 9 p l a c e t o t r y a n d a c c o m p l i s h t h o s e g o a l s? 10 A. Yes. 11 Q. A l l r i g h t. A n d t h e n, a l s o, I ' d j u s t l i k e t o 12 h i g hl i g h t n u m b e r f i v e t h e r e. It indicates that 13 one of your expectations is, to be responsible 14 for enforcing the West Seneca School code of 15 c o n d u c t a n d e n s u r i n g t h a t a l l c a s es a r e r e s o l v e d 16 p r o m p t l y a n d f a i r l y, a n d w h e n n e c e s s a r y, 17 a p p r o p r i a t e l y d o c u m e n t i n g a c t i o n s. 18 I s t h a t w h a t t h a t s a y s? 19 A. Yes. 20 Q. A l l r i g h t. A n d t h e p a r t o f - - t h a t I w a n te d t o 21 highlight again is that you are to document the 22 a c t i o n s t h a t a r e t a k en i n r e s p o n s e t o t h a t. Is 23 that part of your job? Sue Ann Simonin Court Reporting FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 11/27/2023 04:36 PM INDEX NO. 805265/2020 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 157 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/27/2023 19 1 A. I d o n ' t u n d e r s t a n d. C o u l d y o u a s k t h e q u e s t i o n? 2 Q. When something happens pursuant to number five 3 t h e r e, y o u ' r e t o d o c u m e n t y o u r a c t i o ns w h e n i t ' s 4 a p p r o p r i a t e, c o r r e c t? 5 A. We do. 6 Q. O k a y. And do you have a specific protocol for 7 d o c u m e n t i n g w h e n a n d w h e n y o u d o n o t d o c u m e n t? 8 A. W h a t' s t h e q u e s t i o n? 9 Q. I n o t h e r w o r d s, w h e n d o y o u d o c u m e n t s o m e t h i n g, 10 when do you not? Because it says when it's 11 a p p r o p r i a t e b a s i c a l l y. When necessary and 12 a p p r o p r i a t e. So I'm trying to ask you if you 13 have a specific protocol for determining that or 14 i s i t o n a c a s e- b y - c a s e b a s i s. 15 A. I d o n ' t k n o w i f w e w o u l d e v e r n o t d o c u m e n t. 16 Q. O k a y. 17 A. So the protocol would be we would -- we document 18 e v e r y t h i n g. 19 Q. A l l r i g h t. 20 A. Y o u k n o w, w e h a v e a - - d o y o u k n o w - - a r e y o u 21 familiar with what VADIR is? 22 Q. Yes. 23 A. We have a pretty extensive documenting catalog of Sue Ann Simonin Court Reporting FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 11/27/2023 04:36 PM INDEX NO. 805265/2020 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 157 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/27/2023 20 1 every incident that we do. A n y i n c id e n t t h a t i s 2 written up or anything that is a violation of the 3 c o d e o f c o n d u c t, w e d o d o c u m e n t. 4 Q. U n d e r s t o o d. So take me through the -- I know you 5 m e n t i o n e d V A D I R, b u t t a k e m e t h r o u g h t h e 6 p r o c e d u r e f o r t h a t. What happens and how does it 7 w o r k? 8 A. I ' l l m a k e a s c e n a r i o. A student is late for 9 c l a s s. T h e t e a c h e r w o u l d w r i t e u p t h e s t u d e n t. 10 T h e w r i te - u p w o u l d g o t o t h e a s s i s t a n t p r i n c i p a l. 11 The assistant principal would give out some sort 12 o f c o n s e q u e n c e. 13 T h e r e' s a f i g h t i n t h e b a t h r o o m. Probably 14 w o u l d n' t b e w i t n e s s e d b y a t e a c h e r b e c a u s e i t ' s 15 a -- but, those students would report it. If 16 t h e y r e p o r t i t t o a t e a c h e r, t h e t e a c he r w o u l d 17 s e n d t h e s t u d e n t s d o w n. We'd investigate the 18 s t u d e n t s, f i n d o u t i f t h e r e' s a f i g h t a n d t h e n w e 19 w o u l d h o l d t h e k i d s a c c o u n t a b l e. So everything 20 w o u l d b e d o c u m e n t e d. 21 Q. A l l r i g h t. S o , a g a i n, t h e d o c u m e n ti n g - - t h e 22 a c t u a l d o c u m e n t i n g, w h a t s t e p s a r e t h e y s u p p o s e d 23 t o f o l l o w s p e c i f i c a l l y? Sue Ann Simonin Court Reporting FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 11/27/2023 04:36 PM INDEX NO. 805265/2020 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 157 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/27/2023 21 1 A. I d o n ' t u n d e r s t a n d. 2 Q. L i k e a n i n c i d e n t h a p p e ns i n t h e b a t h r o o m y o u 3 d e s c r i b ed . What are they supposed to do and how 4 a r e t h e y s u p p o s e d t o d o t h a t? 5 A. W h o i s t h e y? 6 Q. T h e t e a c h e r s t h a t d o c u m e n t t h i s. 7 A. T h e y w o u l d - - t h e r e' s a f o r m t h a t t h e y w o u l d - - 8 s t u d e n t i n c i d e n t f o r m. 9 Q. O k a y. 10 A. They would write it up. They would send it to 11 t h e a s s i s t a n t p r i n c i p a l s. 12 Q. A l l r i g h t. And then what do the assistant 13 p r i n c i p a l s d o w i t h t h a t? 14 A. T h e y w o u l d i n v e s t i g a t e i t a n d t h e n - - a f i g h t, 15 t h e y w o u l d b e s u s p e n d e d, a n d i t w o u l d b e p a r t o f 16 t h e s t u d e n t' s r e c o r d. 17 Q. O k a y. S o t h e r e' s e s s e n t i a l l y a p a p e r t r i a l f o r 18 e v e r y i n c i d e n t t h a t' s a v i o l a t i o n o f t h e c o d e o f 19 c o n d u c t? 20 A. Yes. 21 Q. A n d i s t h e r e a n y o f t h a t d o n e o u t s i d e o f V A D I R? 22 A. I d o n ' t u n d e r s t a n d t h a t. 23 Q. M e a n i n g i s t h e r e a n y a d d i t i o n a l d o c u m e n t a t i o n, Sue Ann Simonin Court Reporting FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 11/27/2023 04:36 PM INDEX NO. 805265/2020 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 157 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/27/2023 22 1 b e s i d e s w h a t' s i n V A D I R? 2 A. Yes. 3 Q. O k a y. T a k e m e t h r o u g h t h a t, p l e a s e. 4 A. W e l l, V A D I R i s j u s t a s u b s e t o f a s t u d e n t' s 5 i n c i d e n t. So anytime a student violates the code 6 o f c o n d u c t, i t w o u l d b e p a r t o f t h e i r p e r m a n e n t 7 r e c o r d. 8 Q. O k a y. And then you compile them in the 9 i n d i v i d u a l s t u d e n t' s f i l e s? 10 A. Yes. 11 Q. Do you keep a generalized database separate from 12 t h e s t u d e n t' s p e r s o n a l f i l e s o f i n c i d e n ts t h a t 13 o c c u r o n t h e p r o p e r t y? So you know how many code 14 o f c o n d u c t v i o l a t i o n s, f o r e x a m p l e, o c c u r i n a 15 y e a r. 16 A. T h a t' s p a r t o f P o w e rS c h o o l. 17 Q. O k a y. 18 A. W e c a n g a t h e r a l l t h a t f r o m P o w e rS c h o o l. 19 Q. U n d e r s t o o d. O k a y. So you can access in 20 PowerSchool how often a code of conduct violation 21 o c c u r s? 22 A. T h a t' s t h e g o a l. 23 Q. O k a y. Sue Ann Simonin Court Reporting FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 11/27/2023 04:36 PM INDEX NO. 805265/2020 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 157 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/27/2023 23 1 A. T h a t' s w h a t w e l o o k a t i n t h e s u m m e r t o t r y a n d 2 see. 3 Q. That was going to be my next question for you. 4 H o w o f t e n d o y o u g u y s r e v i e w t h a t? Is it once in 5 the summer or -- 6 A. No. T h a t' s w h e n w e l o o k a t t h e a g g r e g a t e. And 7 then we are constantly reviewing it periodically 8 t h r o u g h o u t t h e y e a r. 9 Q. A l l r i g h t. Now, do these code of conduct 10 v i o l a t i o n s i n c l u d e s e x u a l m i s c o n d u c t? 11 A. Yes. 12 Q. A l l r i g h t. A n d i s t h e r e a s e p a r a t e d a t ab a s e f o r 13 t h e s e x u a l m i s c o n d u c t? Are they treated any 14 d i f f e r e n t l y? 15 A. No. 16 Q. Do you have a way to delineate between code of 17 conduct violations as to what type they are? 18 A. Yes. 19 Q. A n d h o w i s t h a t? 20 A. We would run a different report -- I don't know 21 how they do it, but we run that through 22 P o w e r S c h o o l. T h a t' s w h a t w e d o p e r i o d i c a l l y. 23 W h e r e, w h e n, h o w a v i o l a t i o n i s o c c u r r i n g. Sue Ann Simonin Court Reporting FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 11/27/2023 04:36 PM INDEX NO. 805265/2020 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 157 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/27/2023 24 1 Q. A n d f o r g i v e m y i g n o r a n c e h e r e, b u t h o w d i d t h a t 2 a p p e a r? I n o t h e r w o r d s, w h a t d o e s t h a t l o o k 3 l i k e? L i k e i f y o u r a n t h a t r e p o r t t o d a y, w h a t 4 d o e s i t l o o k l i k e? I s i t a s t a n d a r d g r a p h, 5 n u m b e r s? 6 A. I t w o u l d h a v e - - P o w e r S c h o o l i s c l u n k y. It would 7 j u s t s h o w t h e n u m b e r - - y e a h, i t w o u l d b e i n 8 g r a p h f o r m. It would show the numbers of -- it 9 w o u l d s h o w a n u m b e r o f i n c i d e n t s. If it's -- I'm 10 t r y i n g t o e x p l a i n t h i s. I can see it. I just 11 can't verbalize it. So it would be -- and we can 12 d o t h i s f o r a n y s t u d e n t. If a student -- 13 Q. W h a t p a g e a r e y o u r e f e r e n c i n g? 14 A. P a g e e l e v e n. 15 Q. A l l r i g h t. 16 A. O r y o u c a n g o t o p a g e t w e l v e. H o w a b o u t t w e l v e. 17 Q. O k a y. 18 A. I t w o u l d s a y - - i t w o u l d s h o w m e B v i o l a t i o n s. 19 So all the Bs would come up, all the Cs would 20 come up, all the B1s would come up, all the B2s 21 would come up, all the B3s. 22 Q. G o t c h a. 23 A. So we can -- Sue Ann Simonin Court Reporting FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 11/27/2023 04:36 PM INDEX NO. 805265/2020 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 157 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/27/2023 25 1 Q. Let me just stop you there so we're -- part of 2 t h i s i s w h e n w e r e a d t h i s b a c k, w e ' r e n o t g o i n g 3 t o k n o w w h a t t h a t m e a n s. I think I know what it 4 means right now, but I'm just going to clarify 5 f o r t h e r e c o r d. 6 A. O k a y. 7 Q. S o w h a t y o u ' r e r e f e r e n c i n g, A , B a n d C 8 v i o l a t i o n s, t h o s e a r e d r a w n o u t i n t h e c o d e o f 9 c o n d u c t o n p a g e e l e v e n a n d t w e l v e, c o r r e c t? 10 A. Yes. 11 Q. And continues onto page thirteen and fourteen it 12 l o o k s l i k e. 13 A. Yes. 14 Q. O k a y. S o w h e n t h e r e' s a c o d e o f c o n d u c t 15 v i o l a t i o n, t h e y' r e c a t e g o r i z e d. F o r e x a m p l e, 16 u s i n g p r o h i b i t e d s t u d e n t c o n d u c t, a s r e f e r e n c e d 17 o n p a g e e l e v e n, A 1 w o u l d b e - - a n d A i s e n g a g e i n 18 c o n d u c t t h a t i s d i s r u p t i v e, i n s u b o r d i n a t e, 19 d i s o r d e r l y. And A1 would be running in the 20 h a l l s. 21 A. Yes. 22 Q. S o t h a t' s h o w y o u g u y s d o c u m e n t i t ? 23 A. Yes. Sue Ann Simonin Court Reporting FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 11/27/2023 04:36 PM INDEX NO. 805265/2020 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 157 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 11/27/2023 26 1 Q. A l l r i g h t. So you could run a report showing the 2 a m o u n t o f s p e c i f i c v i o l a t i o n s t h r o u g h P o w e r Sc h o o l 3 f o r 2 0 1 9? 4 A. We may not. 5 Q. W h y i s t h a t? 6 A. Because the District switched how they document 7 t h i s. I t u s e d t o b e h e l d i n a s t u d e n t' s i n c i d e n t 8 t h i n g o n - - i t u s e d t o b e h e l d i n a s t u d e n t' s l o g 9 e n t r i e s. W e s w i t c h e d o v e r t o i n c i d e n ts a s a 10 p o l i c y s o w e c a n d o e x a c t l y w h a t y o u ' r e s a y i n g. 11 Q. O k a y. But there was a cataloging system back in 12 2 0 1 9, t h o u g h, t h a t c o u l d a c c o m p l i s h t h a t, j u s t i n 13 a different way? 14 A. No. Y o u c o u l d n' t d o t h e r e p o r t s t h a t I ' m 15 describing that we want to do now. P o s s i b l y. I 16 c a n ' t t e l l y o u w h a t d a t e w e s w i t c h e d o v e r, b u t 17 r e c e n t l y w e u s e d t o k e e p a l l t h e s t u d e n ts a n d l o g 18 e n t r i e s. Y o u c o u l d n o t d o t h e r e p o r t s. 19 Q. O k a y. 20 A. To do the reports we switched over to 21 PowerSchool -- let me get this right -- incident 22 r e p o r t s. 23 Q. U n d e r s t o o d. S o b a c k i n 2 0 1 9, h o w w o u l d y o u Sue Ann Simonin Court Reporting FILED: ERIE COUNTY CLERK 11/27/2023 04:36 PM INDEX NO. 805265/2020 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 157