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Secretary Stole $40K From CT High School For Amazon Shopping Sprees: Cops Secretary Stole $40K From CT High School For Amazon Shopping Sprees: Cops
Secretary Stole $40K From CT High School For Amazon Shopping Sprees: Cops Police are accusing a secretary at a Connecticut high school of using the administration's Amazon account to spend more than $40,000 over five years on gifts for herself and other employees at the Tolland County school, authorities said.  Christine Vardanian, age 56, of Marlborough in Hartford County, is charged with first-degree larceny, Connecticut State Police said on Wednesday, Oct. 23. She was later released after posting a $5,000 bail, authorities said.  Vardanian worked as a secretary at RAHM High School and had access to the district's Amazon account. School officials beca…

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by Josh Lanier
Schools
Recall Of 11.7M Pounds Of Meat, Poultry: List Of Affected Schools Released State-By-State Recall Of 11.7M Pounds Of Meat, Poultry: List Of Affected Schools Released State-By-State
Recall Of 11.7M Pounds Of Meat, Poultry: List Of Affected Schools Released State-By-State A preliminary list has been released of schools that received items that were part of a nationwide recall of millions of pounds of meat and poultry products over fears they may be contaminated with Listeria. The initial recall involving the manufacturer, Bruce Pac, was for 9,986,245 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) products sold at Walmart, Target, Amazon, Trader Joe's, 7-Eleven, Aldi, and other stores. It was announced on Wednesday, Oct. 9. Earlier this week, the recall was expanded to include 11,765,285 pounds of products, the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspectio…

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by Joe Lombardi
Schools
These Greenwich Teens May Be The Future Of Filmmaking, But You Can Watch Their Work Now These Greenwich Teens May Be The Future Of Filmmaking, But You Can Watch Their Work Now
These Greenwich Teens May Be The Future Of Filmmaking, But You Can Watch Their Work Now A group of talented teenagers will soon accomplish a feat that all filmmakers aspire to but few reach: having their films shown in one of the busiest movie theaters in the country.  Nine students from Sacred Heart Greenwich were chosen to screen their short films as part of the 12th annual All-American High School Film Festival. Their movies were picked from thousands of submissions to make it to the finals.  Their movies will be shown at AMC Empire 25 Theatre in Times Square on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 19-20 as part of the prestigious festival.  Click here f…

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by Josh Lanier
Schools
New Rankings: These Are Connecticut's Best High Schools New Rankings: These Are Connecticut's Best High Schools
New Rankings: These Are Connecticut's Best High Schools Niche released its Best High Schools in the Country list this week, and while no Connecticut school made it onto the national charts, several of the state's public schools scored near the top.  Here is a breakdown of the top 10 rated schools in Connecticut.  Click here for the full list, and click here for a breakdown of the survey's methodology.  10: Glastonbury High School Researchers credited Glastonbury High's teacher-to-student ratio with his solid test scores. With 13 pupils per educator, the Hartford County school allows teachers more time to work with the …

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by Josh Lanier
Schools
Middle School Student Pulls Knife On Bullies In Retaliation Over Abuse: Police Middle School Student Pulls Knife On Bullies In Retaliation Over Abuse: Police
Middle School Student Pulls Knife On Bullies In Retaliation Over Abuse: Police Five teens were arrested this week after one of the children, fed up with being bullied, pulled knives against the four others, police said.  Fairfield Police said a video circulating online shows the result of an "ongoing verbal harassment and bullying" campaign by four Fairfield kids against another middle school student.   Fairfield Public Schools Superintendent Michael Testani said in an email that the incident involved Roger Ludlowe Middle School students and took place on Thursday night, Oct. 3.  The incident happened off of school grounds. In the video, the alle…

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by Josh Lanier
Schools
'Vision Of Excellence': 2 New Haven County Schools Earns Prestigious Blue Ribbon Award 'Vision Of Excellence': 2 New Haven County Schools Earns Prestigious Blue Ribbon Award
'Vision Of Excellence': 2 New Haven County Schools Earns Prestigious Blue Ribbon Award A Connecticut high school and two elementary schools have been named some of the nation's most dedicated.  The US Department of Education released its 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools this week, with 356 earning the prestigious distinction. The annual awards recognize high-performing public and non-public schools and those making strides in closing achievement gaps among the student body.  In Connecticut, the three deemed to have reached those goals are: Daniel Hand High School in Madison Israel Putnam Elementary School in Meriden Sunnyside Elementary School in Shelton Dan…

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by Josh Lanier
Schools
Elementary School Off Lockdown Following Threatening Phone Call About Armed Intruder Elementary School Off Lockdown Following Threatening Phone Call About Armed Intruder
Elementary School Off Lockdown Following Threatening Phone Call About Armed Intruder Officials in Connecticut said there is no threat following a "swatting" call on Monday, Sept. 23, that claimed an armed intruder was inside an elementary school. It's part of a growing trend of hoax calls promising violence at schools.  Hartford County's Vance Elementary School in New Britain was forced to go into lockdown on Monday after a call was placed to the main office around 11 a.m., said Tony Gasper, superintendent of the Consolidated School District of New Britain in a message to parents, per NBC Connecticut.  Related: Dozens Of Connecticut Schools Have Received Th…

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by Josh Lanier
Schools
These New Haven County Students Named National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists These New Haven County Students Named National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists
These New Haven County Students Named National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists Several talented high school seniors in Connecticut have been recognized for their impressive achievements by being named National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists.  Those who earned this title join more than 16,000 other students across the country also named as semifinalists after earning high marks on the Preliminary SAT during their junior year.  Each semifinalist must fulfill requirements to advance to the finalist level, including submitting an application including information about their academic record, school and extracurricular activities, leadership abilities, work, hon…

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by Josh Lanier
Schools
Gun Found At Elementary School; Possibly Linked To Previous 'Incident' Gun Found At Elementary School; Possibly Linked To Previous 'Incident'
Gun Found At Elementary School; Possibly Linked To Previous 'Incident' Police are investigating after a gun was found at a Connecticut elementary school that looks similar to one used in an "incident" in 2017, authorities said.  The gun, which was rusted inside and out and inoperable, was found at Nichols Elementary School in Fairfield County in the evening, Stratford Police said.  The caked-on dirt and debris on the weapon found in Stratford led police to believe it had been there for some time. It also matches a firearm that went missing from the scene of an incident in 2017, police said.  Authorities did not say what that previous incid…

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by Josh Lanier
Schools
3 Students Get Sick After Taking Weed Edibles At Middle School: Principal 3 Students Get Sick After Taking Weed Edibles At Middle School: Principal
3 Students Get Sick After Taking Weed Edibles At Middle School: Principal Administrators at a Connecticut middle school are investigating after three students got sick after consuming cannabis edibles on Monday, Sept. 16. Kerri-Lynn Major, principal at Slade Middle School in New Britain, sent a letter to parents on Tuesday, Sept. 17, that NBC Connecticut published. In it, Major says the students had a "severe reaction" to the drug but reiterated that everyone is now safe. The principal added that the students could face expulsion for the incident. (The Consolidated School District of New Britain) has strict policies against the possession, use, sale, or dist…

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by Josh Lanier
Schools
New Interim Principal Named At School In CT New Interim Principal Named At School In CT
New Interim Principal Named At School In CT Danbury Public Schools has named a new interim principal at Westside Middle School Academy. Michael Flynn, a 28-year veteran of Danbury Public School as a teacher, administrator, and now principal, was chosen by Superintendent Dr. Kara Casimiro on Monday, Aug. 19.   According to Michael Seelig of Danbury Public Schools, Flynn attended Danbury public schools from grade three onward, graduating from Danbury High School in 1988. “I feel very fortunate and humbled to be selected for this Principalship,” said Flynn. “Westside has so many great leaders, veteran teachers, and …

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by Kathy Reakes
Schools
Pair Of New Assistant Principals Named At High School In Fairfield County Pair Of New Assistant Principals Named At High School In Fairfield County
Pair Of New Assistant Principals Named At High School In Fairfield County A high school in Fairfield County is welcoming the arrival of two new assistant principals.  Both Parthena Proskinitopoulos and Nicholas Torres have been appointed as the new Assistant Principals of Weston High School, district officials announced on Friday, July 19.  Proskinitopoulos and Torres will replace Juliane Givoni and Matthew Filip, who will become the Weston school district's Director of Human Resources and return to classroom teaching, respectively.  According to school officials, Proskinitopoulos already has plenty of leadership…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
New Assistant Principal Named At School In Fairfield County New Assistant Principal Named At School In Fairfield County
New Assistant Principal Named At School In Fairfield County With the naming of a new assistant principal, an unfamiliar face will be seen in the halls of a Fairfield County school. Greenwich Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Toni Jones announced David Cheris's appointment as Parkway School's assistant principal.  Cheris will assist Principal Mary Grandville in supporting the entire Parkway community, aiding in the development and achievement of school goals and objectives while advocating on behalf of all students.  He replaces Matthew Cerruto, who was named assistant principal of Western Middle School at the end of the school year. “Mr.…

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by Kathy Reakes
Schools
New Assistant Principal Named At Fairfield County School New Assistant Principal Named At Fairfield County School
New Assistant Principal Named At Fairfield County School Students will see a different face at a Fairfield County school with the naming of a new assistant principal. Greenwich Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Toni Jones announced the appointment of Lauren Bird as assistant principal at Cos Cob School in Greenwich, effective immediately.  Bird, who most recently served as assistant principal in Wilton, will assist Cos Cob School Principal Kerry Gavin, supporting the entire Cos Cob community and aiding in the development and achievement of school goals and objectives while advocating on behalf of all students, Jones said. “Mrs. Lauren Bird …

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by Kathy Reakes
Schools
Report Of Grenade At Fairfield County School Sparks Response From Bomb Squad Report Of Grenade At Fairfield County School Sparks Response From Bomb Squad
Report Of Grenade At Fairfield County School Sparks Response From Bomb Squad Classes at a Connecticut school were interrupted after someone discovered what appeared to be a grenade on campus. Emergency crews in Fairfield County were called shortly after 1 p.m. Monday, June 3, after the device was found outside the Middlebrook School in Wilton, near the school’s batting cages. Wilton Police said administrators placed the campus into a “secure” mode, and several classrooms located adjacent to the area were moved to a different part of the building. Members of the Stamford Bomb Squad responded and determined that the device was hollow and non-functional. Administrator…

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by Michael Mashburn
Schools
Yale University Names Maurie McInnis As New President Yale University Names Maurie McInnis As New President
Yale University Names Maurie McInnis As New President The president of Long Island’s Stony Brook University has been selected to first permanent female president of Yale University. Maurie McInnis was named Yale’s 24th president in an announcement by the school. The 58-year-old cultural historian, currently serving as the president of Stony Brook University in Stony Brook, graduated from Yale with a Ph.D in art history in 1996. In the years since her graduation, McInnis has served in senior positions at the University of Virginia and the University of Texas at Austin before moving to Stony Brook University in 2020. She became a Yale trus…

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by Sophie Grieser
Schools
Educator In Fairfield County Named 2024 CT Principal Of Year Educator In Fairfield County Named 2024 CT Principal Of Year
Educator In Fairfield County Named 2024 CT Principal Of Year A Fairfield County principal has received two high honors: the 2024 Middle School Principal of the Year and the 2024 Connecticut State Principal of the Year. The Connecticut Association of Schools selected Dr. Kristy Zaleta, the principal of Rogers Park Middle School in Danbury, for both awards. Now in her 21st year with Danbury Public Schools and her sixth year as principal of Rogers Park, Zaleta has consistently demonstrated her commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive school environment, said officials with Danbury School. Before her current role, Zaleta was …

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by Kathy Reakes
Schools
How Sweet: Fairfield County Educator Named 'Teacher Of The Year' By Cookie Chain Crumbl How Sweet: Fairfield County Educator Named 'Teacher Of The Year' By Cookie Chain Crumbl
How Sweet: Fairfield County Educator Named 'Teacher Of The Year' By Cookie Chain Crumbl Forget the apple; this distinguished Connecticut teacher is getting a cookie party. Just in time for National Teacher Appreciation Day, cookie chain Crumbl announced the winners of its “Teacher of the Year” awards, given to educators “for their extraordinary commitment to their classrooms.” In Connecticut, the honor went to Fairfield County teacher Melinda Scott at Stadley Rough Elementary School in Danbury. Recipients were selected from a pool of over 6,000 nominations that included testimonials from parents, students, colleagues, and friends. They were chosen from each state, the Di…

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by Michael Mashburn
Schools
US Presidential Scholars: 3 Fairfield County High School Seniors Earn Top Honor US Presidential Scholars: 3 Fairfield County High School Seniors Earn Top Honor
US Presidential Scholars: 3 Fairfield County High School Seniors Earn Top Honor Several Connecticut high school seniors have received one of the nation's highest honors for students.  The three, all from Fairfield County, are among only 161 students across the entire US to be selected as 2024 US Presidential Scholars, the US Department of Education just announced on Thursday, May 9.  The US Presidential Scholars Program was created in 1964 and recognizes a few of the country's most distinguished graduating seniors. Scholars are chosen based on academic success, excellence in the arts and technical education, and commitment to community service and leadership.…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
Best High Schools: Fairfield County Well-Represented In Brand-New U.S. News Rankings Best High Schools: Fairfield County Well-Represented In Brand-New U.S. News Rankings
Best High Schools: Fairfield County Well-Represented In Brand-New U.S. News Rankings Connecticut is well-represented on U.S. News & World Report's latest rankings of the nation's best high schools. The brand-new rankings were released Tuesday morning, April 23, and determined by performance on state-required tests, graduation, and how well they prepare students for college. The highest-ranked school in the state is Connecticut IB Academy in East Hartford at 117th nationally. Darien is ranked second in Connecticut, first in Fairfield County, and 169th in the country. These schools made the Top 10 in Connecticut: 3. Marine Science Magnet High School of Southe…

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by Joe Lombardi
Schools
School In Fairfield Receives Threat Of Violence, Placed In Lockdown School In Fairfield Receives Threat Of Violence, Placed In Lockdown
School In Fairfield Receives Threat Of Violence, Placed In Lockdown A Fairfield County high school was placed on lockdown after receiving a threat of violence. The incident occurred at Notre Dame High School in Fairfield around 1 p.m., Thursday, April 11. According to Sgt. Michael Stahl of the Fairfield Police, the school received a telephone threat of violence and notified the police. The school was placed into lockdown while officers completed an assessment of the threat and determined that all students and staff were safe, Stahl said. "At this time, we believe this to be a swatting incident and that the call to the school was not made from the imm…

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by Kathy Reakes
Schools
School In Greenwich Reopens After Cracks Found Following Earthquake School In Greenwich Reopens After Cracks Found Following Earthquake
School In Greenwich Reopens After Cracks Found Following Earthquake A Fairfield County school evacuated following last week's earthquake has reopened. Related: Cracks Discovered At School In Greenwich After 4.8 Magnitude Earthquake: Report Greenwich's Central Middle School was deemed safe to open on Monday, April 8, after cracks were found after the 4.8-magnitude earthquake that occurred on Friday, April 5, in New Jersey that was felt throughout the region.  "We are happy to share some good news with all of you," said Greenwich Superintendent of Schools Toni Jones and Central Middle School Principal Thomas Healy.  School officials said th…

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by Kathy Reakes
Schools
Multiple Anti-Semitic Incidents Under Investigation At CT Middle School Multiple Anti-Semitic Incidents Under Investigation At CT Middle School
Multiple Anti-Semitic Incidents Under Investigation At CT Middle School School officials and police in a Connecticut district are investigating after multiple anti-semitic incidents occurred at a middle school. The incidents took place in Middlesex County at Beman Middle School in Middletown. In a letter to the community on Thursday, Feb. 29, Middletown School District Superintendent Dr. Alberto Vázquez Matos said the incidents occurred in a bathroom at the school and included swastikas. "Let me be clear: there is no place for hate, intolerance, or discrimination of any kind in the Middletown Public Schools," Vázquez Matos wrote. "These act…

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by Kathy Reakes
Schools
School District In Fairfield County Causes Controversy By Removing 2 Scheduled Holidays School District In Fairfield County Causes Controversy By Removing 2 Scheduled Holidays
School District In Fairfield County Causes Controversy By Removing 2 Scheduled Holidays A Connecticut school board's decision to remove two holidays that have traditionally given students a day off has sparked debate amongst community members, according to a report by ABC 7 New York.  The controversy began in Fairfield County following the Stamford School Board's decision to remove Veterans Day and Columbus Day from their calendar, which means students will not have them off for the next two years, according to an ABC7 report from Friday, Jan. 26.  Board members, who passed the decision in a 5-3 motion, have defended the decision by saying students should remain in s…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
Danbury Schools Superintendent Resigns Suddenly For 'Personal Reasons' Danbury Schools Superintendent Resigns Suddenly For 'Personal Reasons'
Danbury Schools Superintendent Resigns Suddenly For 'Personal Reasons' A Fairfield County superintendent has announced his sudden resignation, school officials said.  Kevin Walston, the superintendent of Danbury Public Schools, has decided to resign from his position, the Danbury Board of Education announced on Friday night, Jan. 26.  Walston attributed his decision to "personal reasons," according to the school board, which added that he would remain on leave through Sunday, June 30.  "The Danbury Board of Education supports Mr. Walston’s decision and wishes him well as he takes the time necessary to address his personal issues," the…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
Harvard University President Resigns Amid Controversy: Reports Harvard University President Resigns Amid Controversy: Reports
Harvard University President Resigns Amid Controversy: Reports Claudine Gay is set to resign as Harvard University president after facing plagiarism accusations over her academic work and heavy criticism during a congressional hearing on campus antisemitism. Gay is stepping down on Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 2, after just six months and two days since being appointed president of the university, according to the Harvard Crimson. Her tenure is the shortest ever for a Harvard president, the newspaper reported.  Related: Harvard President Claudine Gay Gets Support From Faculty Her resignation comes after mounting allegations of plagiarism of her…

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by Khier Casino
Schools
Harvard President Requests More Changes To Her Work As Congress Digs Into Her Writing: Reports Harvard President Requests More Changes To Her Work As Congress Digs Into Her Writing: Reports
Harvard President Requests More Changes To Her Work As Congress Digs Into Her Writing: Reports As the US House of Representatives is digging deeper into Harvard University President Claudine Gay’s academic work, the university said it had found more issues in connection to the matter. The Harvard Corporation, which oversees the university, said on Wednesday, Dec. 20 that Gay would request three corrections to her 1997 Ph.D. dissertation, the Harvard Crimson reported. The corrections follow an independent review by the corporation, which found that Gay had not properly attributed some of her sources but the incidents didn't rise to the level of serious wrongdoing, the Crimson reported…

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by Khier Casino
Schools
Harvard President Faces Plagiarism Allegations Amid Calls For Resignation Harvard President Faces Plagiarism Allegations Amid Calls For Resignation
Harvard President Faces Plagiarism Allegations Amid Calls For Resignation Harvard University president Claudine Gay faces new allegations while some are calling for her resignation after they took issue with recent comments she made to Congress about anti-Semitism.  A report claims that Gay had plagiarized portions of her doctoral thesis. However, the prestigious university said it had looked into the matter and determined that she had not violated any of the school's research standards. Officials said two of her articles will receive corrections for "inadequate citation." The Harvard Corporation, which supervises the university, announced in a statement on …

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by Khier Casino
Schools
'Predatory, Grooming Behavior' Leads To Firing Of Bethel HS Coach, Officials Say 'Predatory, Grooming Behavior' Leads To Firing Of Bethel HS Coach, Officials Say
'Predatory, Grooming Behavior' Leads To Firing Of Bethel HS Coach, Officials Say A high school coach has been fired after a school district in Fairfield County received a "very serious report" from students before the Thanksgiving holiday. The assistant coach worked at Bethel High School, but was not an employee who worked in school buildings daily, according to officials. "The safety of our students is our highest priority and when that safety is compromised we take action," Bethel High School Principal Christopher Troetti and Superintendent of Schools Christine Carver said in a letter to the community.  After receiving the report, officials "immediately" co…

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by Kathy Reakes
Schools
Harvard Faculty Backs President Gay Amid Calls For Resignation Over Congressional Testimony Harvard Faculty Backs President Gay Amid Calls For Resignation Over Congressional Testimony
Harvard Faculty Backs President Gay Amid Calls For Resignation Over Congressional Testimony Harvard President Claudine Gay is facing calls to resign after her congressional hearing on antisemitism went viral last week, but hundreds of university faculty are rallying behind her in support. An open letter, addressed to the Harvard Corporation, has reached 686 signatures from faculty members, according to the Harvard Crimson. Related: Gay Denies Plagiarism Claims As University Lends Its Support Faculty members wrote: “We, the undersigned faculty, urge you in the strongest possible terms to defend the independence of the university and to resist political pressures that are at odds …

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by Khier Casino
Schools
Liz Magill, Scott Bok Resign From UPenn Positions Liz Magill, Scott Bok Resign From UPenn Positions
Liz Magill, Scott Bok Resign From UPenn Positions Moments after it was announced that University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill was resigning, Board of Trustees Chairman Scott Bok followed suit. Magill, whose testimony to Congress on antisemitism earlier this week sparked widespread outrage, resigned on Saturday, Dec. 9. Bok later announced his resignation, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. Magill remains a faculty member at Penn Carey Law and will stay on as president until an interim president is appointment, UPenn Board of Trustees Chairman Scott Bok said in announcing the news Saturday evening. And Liz Magill has resig…

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by Cecilia Levine