Floral Park teacher accused of inappropriate conduct fired

A substitute chorus teacher at Floral Park Memorial High School was fired Friday after district officials learned she may have had an inappropriate relationship with a student at a Brooklyn high school.

The decision announced by the Sewanhaka Central School District follows news reports about the teacher, Marisa Cazanave, who resigned from Brooklyn Technical High School last year after being accused of exchanging inappropriate correspondence with a male student.

News 12 Long Island reported Friday night that a parent of a Floral Park high school student alerted school officials after seeing the news stories online.

“Earlier today, the district was made aware of information regarding a newly hired per-diem substitute teacher ... and an alleged incident, which occurred during previous employment,” Sewanhaka Superintendent Ralph Ferrie said in a statement. “Due to the nature of the information provided and following the conclusion of the district’s own investigation, appropriate action was taken and the teacher was dismissed.”

Ferrie said that the district had conducted a background check before hiring Cazanave, “including a criminal-background check and contacting past employers” and he noted that “during the employee’s service to the district, there were no reports of any alleged misconduct.”

Cazanave could not be reached for comment.

New York City’s Special Commissioner of Investigation conducted an inquiry into the allegations against the 33-year-old married mother of two, leading to her resignation, according to news reports.

SCI officials could not be reached for comment.