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A letter from the Syracuse Teachers' Association has revealed multiple complaints spanning years against recently removed Syracuse City School District Commissioner Cherlyne "Twiggy" Billue, shedding new light on the controversial decision to remove her from office.
The letter, obtained through a Freedom of Information request by CNY Central, alleges "abuse of power and lack of respect for district policies" by Billue over many years. Written by union president Nicole Capsello on October 8, 2025, it states the union had informed two previous superintendents about problems with Billue entering teachers' classrooms without following proper procedures.
The incident that ultimately led to Billue's removal occurred on September 17, 2025, at Roberts School. According to the faculty complaint, Billue arrived at a teacher's classroom accompanied by a man and a student without a pass, appointment, or escort. When informed she needed a pass, Billue reportedly responded that "she was not always going to have a pass and that she was a commissioner of education."
The Syracuse school board voted unanimously on Tuesday, January 21, 2026, to remove Billue, citing violations of her oath of office and the district's code of ethics. According to Syracuse.com, an investigation found Billue had bypassed security at her grandson's school, appeared at a teacher's classroom unannounced, and identified herself as a school board member when asked to leave.
Attorney Wendy DeWind, who conducted the investigation, reported that Billue also violated ethics rules by attempting to move her relative to another classroom, which was deemed a misuse of authority. The investigation revealed that some teachers had begun requesting union representation during parent meetings with Billue out of fear of retaliation.
Billue's attorney, Douglas Bullock, questioned the investigation's quality during the three-hour public hearing, suggesting there was more to the story. He noted that Billue's grandson had allegedly been bullied for years, with Billue claiming she is authorized to make educational decisions for him.
Experts have described the effort to remove an elected official in this manner as highly unusual. Billue, who was re-elected to a second term in November 2025, continues to deny any wrongdoing and plans to appeal the decision to the state Board of Education.
The removal has sparked significant community reaction, with at least 100 people attending the hearing and more watching online. Among those present were Superintendent Pamela Odom, several Common Council members, district employees, parents, and Billue's supporters.