LONG BEACH, NY. — The Long Beach Board of Education rescinded the appointment of John Anfossi to a pair of coaching positions in the district at its Tuesday night meeting.
Tuesday was the first board of education meeting since Jan. 27, the day Anfossi was arrested. That arrest that came after police said Anfossi was accused of inappropriately touching a Long Beach student during wrestling practice. Anfossi, police said, was employed by the district as an assistant wrestling coach.
The second section of the board’s certificated personnel agenda item was titled, “Recission: Interscholastic Coaches for the Spring 2026,” with Anfossi listed in the agenda item. The certificated personnel item passed with unanimous approval from the board.
Thursday, Anfossi’s lawyer, James Pascarella, confirmed that Anfossi had pleaded not guilty to a charge of acting in a manner injurious to a child under age 17. In Anfossi’s last court appearance, Pascarella said, a number of community members were in the court room to show their support for him.
“On our first appearance after arraignment, I was really overwhelmed at the support from the community. There were probably around 50 people there who just came on their own to support [Anfossi] for that court date,” Pascarella said Thursday. “So he has the support of the community…that group included coaches and other members of the wrestling community. So, you know, it was nice to see that. They did that on their own.”
In a statement Friday, Feb. 6, Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Gallagher said the district was aware of the allegations and was cooperating with law enforcement.
“We are aware of the allegations involving this individual and are fully cooperating with law enforcement officials,” Gallagher said. “The individual is a middle school employee and involved in the district’s athletics program. The individual in question has been administratively reassigned while this matter is being investigated. As this is a matter of personnel, the district has no further comment.”