The Herald, Sharon, Pa.

Local News

April 30, 2007

Brookfield teacher accused of locking student in closet resigns

By Patrick W. Connelly

BROOKFIELD — A Brookfield Middle School band teacher resigned Saturday after reports surfaced he locked a student in a closet last week.

Rocco Criazzo resigned at a special meeting of the board of education Saturday.

Reached by phone Monday, Criazzo declined to comment specifically about the incident but said he plans to continue teaching elsewhere.

Superintendent Michael Notar said the district cannot release any comment or details of the April 25 incident until more information is obtained.

School officials told Brookfield police last week that Criazzo reportedly locked a student in a large equipment closet as a punishment for about 20 minutes after the student misbehaved.

Police Chief Dan Faustino said Friday the district would handle all disciplinary action through the board.

Criazzo said he has taken the remainder of his personal days until he is officially terminated at the end of the school year.

He said he had worked to revitalize Brookfield’s high school marching band, which saw its numbers significantly rise under his direction before he was moved to the middle school in 2006.

Criazzo has taught music for 11 years, spending time in the South Range school district before coming to Brookfield in 2002.





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