In a vote of 4 to 1 at its April 27 meeting, the Garden City Board of Education denied tenure to administrator Janet Pacifico, director of Guidance, for at least the second time. After serving as director of guidance for the last three years within the district, she was the only candidate out of five other administrators up for tenure to be denied an affirmative vote. Primary Schools Principal Bernice Acevedo, Director of Physical Education and Athletics Nancy Kalafus, Elementary School Principal Marylou McDermott and Director of Management Information Services Rita Melikian were all granted tenure.

Outgoing School Board Trustee Bryan Rudy, who said he was "proud" to vote yes, cast the lone vote in favor of Pacifico's tenure, further solidifying the tension between Rudy and his fellow board members. Rudy has continually separated himself politically from the rest of the trustees, and within the last few months has actually begun to sit separately from the other trustees during the meetings, with Superintendent of Schools Dr. Lee Wilson sitting between Rudy and the rest of the board.

The tenure vote came after a strong show of community support for Pacifico, which included several students and former Village Mayor Brian Deveney.

"I know that there are rare occasions when you get spectacular educators," Deveney said. "Mrs. Pacifico is one, It's very hard to lose a spectacular educator, but it hurts the children, the parents and the district."

Jared Knote, a high school junior, also showed support.

"Most of us forget that guidance counselors are more than the people who tell you where to go to college," Knote said. "They are someone who is supposed to care. Mrs. Pacifico exemplified this. I think by not granting her tenure, you are doing a great disservice to us."

Several parents also gave Pacifico support, including Pam Martens, who like many people, asked the board to reconsider its decision to deny Pacifico tenure.

"What has been brought to our attention and deeply concerns us is our understanding that Mrs. Pacifico has the support of the guidance faculty and the Garden City Teachers' Association, but was still denied tenure," Martens said. "By having the courage to go through this very public hearing, rather than accept a decision she felt was unfair, Mrs. Pacifico has enhanced her resume, in my opinion."

Kathy Maher, president of the GCTA for the last three years, however, said that while the faculty supported Pacifico's bid for tenure, the association supports the process.

"The Teachers' Association supports the process of when the principle and superintendent recommend that tenure be granted by the board," Maher noted. "I know that letters of support came from the faculty, including some department heads."

Pacifico expressed appreciation for the community's support.

"It was wonderful," she said. "I know they [the Board] received about 40 letters of support that seemed to have been ignored. They've ignored all the support."

High School Principal John Okulski declined to comment, citing personnel matters. Parent Teachers Association President Maureen Cornacchia also declined to comment, saying the PTA has to stay neutral on personnel issues.

While the trustees of the board are restricted from commenting on personnel matters, parent Terri Sue Boghosin, whose son switched to Garden City High School last year, called the decision "terrible."

"I think this is a terrible loss for our schools," Boghosin concluded.