By Howard Koplowitz
An Ozone Park teacher who works at James Madison High School is being investigated for inappropriate sexual behavior with a fellow teacher at the Brooklyn school, the city Department of Education said.
Alini Brito, 29, who teaches Spanish at James Madison and is one of the deans there, has been reassigned “pending the outcome of the situation,” said DOE spokeswoman Margie Feinberg, noting Brito is still getting paid.
Feinberg had no further comment.
“The investigation is ongoing,” she said.
Brito and French teacher Cindy Mauro, 33, of Bay Ridge were undressed and kissing each other when a janitor at the school walked in on them during the Nov. 20 incident, according to the New York Post.
A student said she was shocked over the Ozone Park teacher’s alleged behavior.
“She’s not the kind of lady who would do that,” a senior who identified herself as Melissa told the Post. “She’s the dean, too. Any other teacher, but not Ms. Brito.”
“I still can’t believe it,” the 17-year-old said. “If a boy came on to her, she would get nasty.”
The Post said the janitor reported the sexual behavior to the school’s assistant principal because he thought the women were students at James Madison.
Assistant Principal Jodie Cohen put an end to the affair, according to the Post.
The school was having its annual “Sing” competition when the janitor walked in on the women, the paper said.
A woman who answered the phone at Cohen’s office said she had no comment and deferred questions to the chancellor’s office.
Reach reporter Howard Koplowitz by e-mail at hkoplowitz@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 173.
