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Investigator: School Official Tries To Rally Parents Behind Ending Teacher Seniority Rules

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A New York City Department of Education official has been reprimanded for enlisting staffers to rally parents behind an effort to end teacher seniority rules.

The special investigator for the city's school system found that director of public affairs Lenny Speiller asked that a petition sent to parent coordinators include a line in support of ending the rules.

The coordinators serve as a link between parents and school administrators.

Special Investigator Richard Condon said the state's constitution bans the use of public resources for private purposes.

Speiller was reprimanded and will be required to take ethics training.

According to the Wall Street Journal, he told investigators he didn't realize coordinators would be asked to promote the petition.

Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott said Speiller exercised poor judgment.

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