Syracuse School District Placed Teacher on Leave
The Syracuse City School District placed longtime teacher Ben Kochan on paid administrative leave this August.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Administration
The Syracuse City School District placed longtime English teacher Ben Kochan on paid administrative leave on August 6, 2026. Officials notified the Syracuse Police Department regarding the personnel matter.
Why it matters
The administrative action involves a veteran educator who has served the district for over two decades. The move prompted a leadership change for the girls basketball program at Henninger High School.
Ben Kochan has been involved with the district for more than 20 years. He previously coached the Henninger girls basketball team from 2009 to 2014 and returned to the position in 2019.
The players
Ben Kochan
He is an English teacher at Henninger High School who has been with the district for over 20 years.
Justin Smorol
He is the individual appointed to lead the girls basketball program following the transition.
Syracuse City School District
This is the public educational body responsible for overseeing operations at Henninger High School.
Syracuse Police Department
This is the local law enforcement agency that was notified by the district regarding the personnel leave.
The details
Following the leave, the district appointed Justin Smorol to lead the girls basketball program. The school system confirmed the status of the leave in late September.
Timeline
Ben Kochan coached the Henninger girls basketball team from 2009 to 2014.
Kochan returned to coach at Henninger High School in 2019.
The district placed Kochan on administrative leave on August 6, 2026.
A district spokesperson confirmed the ongoing leave on September 30, 2026.
Culture Shift
The district's actions align with the procedural requirements established under New York State Education Law Section 3020-a. This framework guides the administrative handling of professional staff throughout the state.
Students and families connected to the basketball program at Henninger High School will transition to the leadership of Justin Smorol. The leave of a long-term teacher may affect classroom staffing and curriculum delivery for affected students.
The takeaway
Personnel investigations within public school districts often follow strict administrative protocols to ensure the continuity of student services. Parents and students can contact the district office for updates regarding changes to extracurricular activities or classroom instruction.
Further reading
Learn more about the district in the Syracuse Administration section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Syracuse.
