Parents Frustrated by Elementary School Principal Re-Assignments

A plan to switch the assignments of two elementary school principals has drawn complaints from parents who feel that their children's education will be disrupted in the process.

Some parents told Patch they plan to speak out against the move at Tuesday's Board of Education meeting, which is set for 7:30 p.m. at the North Country Administration Center. A note posted Monday on the school district website advises residents that public participation session may begin later than usual, at approximately 8 p.m., due to a lengthy student recognition period.

The district announced in a letter to families at Setauket Elementary and Mount Elementary that Dr. Nathalie Lilavois, formerly the principal at Mount, will become the principal at Setauket Elementary beginning July 1. Kathryn White, formerly the principal at Setauket, will head to Mount.

An online petition via Change.org has collected close to 200 signatures in the past several days. The petition reads, in part: "We are disheartened by the announcement that the Board of Education for Three Village Schools has taken it upon themselves to break up two strong educational communities without taking into account the negative effect the abrupt change will have on the families, staff and most importantly, students in both Mount and Setauket elementary schools."

Parent Jacqueline Reyes said she is upset by the principals' relocation.

"Why is this move necessary?" she said in an email to Patch. "No reason has been given for this change but it is a change not welcomed by either school. Hence it begs the question – what is the hidden agenda for this change?"

Superintendent Cheryl Pedisich said in a statement to Patch that she is unable to comment on the specifics of the move due to legal constraints surrounding the discussion of personnel matters.

"I will note that both of these individuals are highly regarded professionals, and I believe this decision will be one that benefits our district," she said in a statement on Monday. "Whenever the district is faced with a decision that affects staffing, such a decision is made after careful thought and consideration. Our primary concern is always meeting the needs of our students and determining what is in the best interest of our school community."

Pedisich said there are no changes at the present time for the leadership in the secondary schools.