By: KEITH GRANT
Having failed to secure a tenure recommendation despite a flood of support from parents, Lido Elementary School principal Rosalie Schwartz tendered her resignation to the district after four years at the school. Lido will now be seeking its fourth principal in seven years.
In sharp contrast to the previous regular meeting of the Board of Education, the March 13 meeting was characterized by somber acceptance of the situation. One month earlier, dozens of parents packed the Middle School cafeteria to voice support for the embattled principal after learning that she would not be recommended for tenure by Superintendent of Schools Ronald Friedman. Without such a recommendation, the school board cannot grant tenure.
After the outpouring of support from parents, the board voted at a work session days later to extend Schwartz's probationary period for one more year, her fifth. Board president Steven Weitz said of that action, "We thought perhaps with another year, [Friedman] would be able to make a positive tenure recommendation."
Schwartz had been granted an additional probationary year last year because Friedman was in his first year in the district and officials felt it was too early for him to decide whether to make a recommendation. Schwartz, though, chose not to accept the latest extension.
"It's unprecedented to have a fifth year of probation," she said. "I don't want to work with my hands tied. My credibility with my staff would be nonexistent."
She added, "When you're on probation, you have to please everyone. I don't deserve that. I've never been anything but a professional. I want to be here, but not under those constraints."
Schwartz's decision led the board to rescind its action of Feb. 27. The principal's resignation, effective Aug. 29, was accepted by the board on Tuesday night before an audience a fraction of the size that turned out in support of Schwartz in February. Those supporters in attendance were resigned to accept the situation.
"It's not in the best interest of Lido School to prolong the battle," said Cheri Nolan, Lido School PTA president.
The night was not completely without controversy, though, as parent Vicki Last blasted district teachers for allegedly playing a role in Schwartz's demise, suggesting the teachers had "ganged up" on the principal. Her statement was interrupted by Weitz, who charged that Last was making a personal attack, which the board would not allow. Last and teachers union president Jeff Elias briefly exchanged words before Last sat down. Other parents had previously charged that teachers within Lido Elementary had been pushing the principal out the door, though Friedman denied that any such pressure existed in his decision-making.
Later in the meeting, Weitz spoke in response to what he said were numerous personal attacks previously made regarding the Schwartz situation. Weitz drew applause when he praised the board's ability to discuss such difficult topics without getting personal.
"We've worked through some difficult issues in recent weeks," he said. "I think we've been successful in doing it and hope we will continue to be."
sub: Parris, 26 others to retire
Officials will now begin a search for not one, but two elementary-school principals for the district. The board accepted the retirement of Lindell principal Lydia Parris, along with 26 other district employees, at Tuesday's meeting. Others accepting a retirement incentive included high school vice principal Neal Maffei, acclaimed high school music teacher Edward Kennedy, high social studies teacher Fred Giles, middle school social studies teacher Joseph Hoffman, middle school physical education teacher Richard Sedlik, school psychologist Edward Frankel, high school English teacher David Seltzer and Joel Crystal, high school art teacher and Long Beach city council president.
At the same time, the board announced the promotion of middle school vice principal Joane Tom to principal, succeeding the retiring Fred Brand.
"There's nothing nicer than to be able to promote from within," Friedman said. "It doesn't happen often, but when it does, it's a good thing for the school district."
The board also announced the hiring of Frank Fiumano as the new assistant superintendent for business, succeeding Al Chase, who left the district for the same post in his home district of Valley Stream. Chase had lost his 15-year-old son, Brian, last fall. Officials said the opportunity to be closer to his family was a big factor in Chase's decision. He will remain on the job one day a week during the transition period. Fiumano, meanwhile, comes to the district from years of experience in the Glen Cove, Garden City and Hicksville school districts. He also served several years as a trustee on the Hewlett-Woodmere Board of Education.
