Newark High School principal resigns as board promises 'actions are being taken'

Newark, N.Y. — The head of Newark High School has stepped down following questions of his leadership after a former employee was charged with possession of child pornography.

Thomas Roote's resignation was accepted by the Newark Board of Education at its meeting Wednesday.

District officials did not connect his resignation with the arrest of a former employee earlier this year. They attributed his departure to "personal reasons." However, some in the audience did link it to charges brought against Matthew Holland in June for making and possessing child pornography.

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In the wake of his arrest, several allegations have been brought against Holland, including by some who say the district failed to do enough to protect them.

Mackenzie Westcott, a 2018 graduate of Newark, is one of them.

"There's multiple people, multiple girls in the case of Matthew Holland, who have been victims not only of him but the school, and if it weren’t for the school, we wouldn’t have had to be introduced to him," she said.

Heather Boughten, who said her daughter is one of Holland's victims, was also critical of the district, saying it did not do enough.

"I hope everyone can heal from this. I hope Newark schools will take a little more caution when they’re hiring people," she said. "I’d like to see it safer for my kids."

The resignation of a second administrator was accepted at the meeting. However, that individual's identity was not disclosed.

Roote could not be reached for comment.

Meanwhile, Superintendent Matt Cook would not take any questions. In a statement, leaders said they care about the safety of students and "assure you that actions are being taken and will continue to be taken and will demonstrate that we are committed to doing our part to keep students safe."