Teacher in 'rubber room' calls into GDNY - New York News | NYC Breaking News

Teacher live streams from 'rubber room'

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MYFOXNY.COM -

Teacher Francesco Portelos who was removed from I.S. 49 on Staten Island in April has been streaming live video of himself sitting in a so-called rubber room.

The 'rooms' are designated for teachers within the New York City Department of Education who are under investigation by school officials for a variety of alleged infractions.

Teachers generally sit and wait in the rooms during the school day until their disciplinary hearing is heard.

The 'rubber rooms' existence is denied by the DOE. 

All teachers who have been removed from the classroom work "in an administrative capacity," according to school officials.

"They gave me assignments after the first article in the Post. They give me busy work like call these extensions and make sure these people are still working there," Portelos told Good Day New York.

Portelos called into GDNY on Friday and said that he was facing retaliation after he accused the principal of engaging in financial misconduct.

"I had a four and a half year stellar record as a teacher in my school. Once I brought up issues about the budget back in December, I went from getting letters of recommendations from the principal in October to being called a 'hindrance to the community' in January," he said.

The DOE said the charges against Portelos are serious including that he is difficult to work with and is disruptive.

Portelos was transferred twice.

"I'm ready to answer all questions. I don't need to sit in a rubber room for two years," Portelos told Good Day New York on Friday.

The DOE told Fox news Friday afternoon that its is "taking action to address the situation."

 The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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