Thursday, October 1, 2026
Sanford H. Calhoun High School Principal Nicole Hollings returned to Nassau County First District Court on Nov. 12 for a continuation of her driving while intoxicatedcase, but the brief hearing again produced no major developments.
During the three-minute session before Judge David W. Wright, an order of protection was issued without objection from Hollings’ attorney, Robert Schalk. The proceeding mirrored her Sept. 10 appearance, which also yielded no new developments.
“We’re still in the process of figuring things out,” Schalk said.
According to NYCourts.gov, the purpose of an order of protection in a DWI case “is to maintain peace and provide protection until all the facts have been gathered and the case is heard in court. When the court is convinced that someone has committed an offense or endangered the person protected by the order, a final order is issued.”
Hollings was arrested after a motor vehicle accident in Rockville Centre in the early morning hours of July 2. She was arraigned on July 25 and pleaded not guilty to charges of driving while intoxicated.
At her second appearance on Aug. 7, prosecutors said Hollings’ blood alcohol content was 0.25, more than three times the legal limit in New York. Her driver’s license was suspended, and she faces up to three years’ probation and a maximum of 32 days in jail if convicted.
Two days before that hearing, Hollings announced she would take a leave of absence from her position as principal. In an email to families, she said the decision was necessary to address “personal issues” and emphasized the need for the role to remain free of distractions.
Michael Hughes is serving as interim principal for the 2025–26 school year, and Nicholas Grande has been named interim assistant principal for sophomores and seniors, according to the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District website.
After a Dec. 17 conference, the next court date is March 11.
