New York High School Theatre Teacher Retires After Years-Long Case Over Inappropriate Contact During ‘Hamlet’ Rehearsal —

by Chris Peterson

A years-long disciplinary battle involving a Long Island high school theatre teacher has come to an end after his retirement from the Manhasset School District.

Robbert Fessler, retired in June after 18 years with the district. His retirement effectively ended a case that began more than three years earlier and ultimately cost the school district nearly $1 million in salary and legal expenses, according to records obtained by Newsday.

The case centered on Fessler’s conduct during rehearsals for Manhasset High School’s fall 2021 production of Hamlet.

According to disciplinary findings, Fessler made inappropriate and nonconsensual physical contact with a female student while demonstrating moments from the play. Among the allegations, Fessler pulled the student toward him from behind while demonstrating movement for a scene and simulated kissing the student’s arm, moving toward her neck.

The district began investigating Fessler in January 2023 and sought to terminate his employment.

Following the disciplinary hearing, Fessler was found guilty of inappropriate physical contact, but he was not fired. He was given a $7,500 fine and ordered to undergo sensitivity training. Fessler received an additional $5,000 fine for other misconduct, bringing the total financial penalty to $12,500.

It was noted in the decision that physical demonstration can sometimes be part of acting instruction, but concluded that Fessler could not take the same liberties with student performers that might be acceptable when working with adults.

The Manhasset Board of Education challenged that decision in court, arguing that the punishment did not adequately protect students. In August 2025, Acting Nassau Supreme Court Justice Catherine Rizzo agreed that the penalty was too lenient and ordered the hearing officer to reconsider it. Rizzo wrote that the original decision failed to sufficiently account for the potential harm Fessler’s conduct could have on a child.

Fessler appealed the ruling. He previously told Newsday that he believed the hearing officer’s original decision would ultimately be upheld and argued that the district had attempted to characterize the case as involving sexual impropriety.

But the legal fight never reached that point.

Fessler retired in June 2026 and later withdrew his appeal. Because he was no longer employed by the district, the effort to terminate him effectively became moot.

In a statement, the Manhasset Board of Education said the district’s priority throughout the proceedings was protecting students while maintaining due process and responsibly managing public resources.