A rumor in the community, that the principal of one of the Levittown School District's two high schools has been actively searching for a new position, with the help of district administration, was an issue raised by several concerned parents at last week's board of education meeting. These parents implored the board and administration to do all that could be done to convince this principal, who has made a difference in the school, to remain in the district.

The concern was first raised by Sheree Hudes during the public be heard portion of the meeting. "I am concerned about rumors that I have recently heard concerning a high school principal who's apparently actively looking for a new job outside this district," said Hudes. "What concerns me are two issues. One is that the school district is not making every attempt to entice this principal to stay, we finally have an administrator who's helped this high school achieve and improve its academics; and two, that the administration is actively helping him with his job search. It is obvious to me that the administration is not interested in doing what's best for our children." Hudes went on to implore the board, who has been elected by the residents of the district, find a way to keep the current administration at the high school.

Cathy Gilbert also expressed her concern about the possibility of the loss of this principal, commenting on the fact that the board had just commended students from this high school on winning a prestigious physics competition and the fact that the school's tests scores have been rising in recent years. "We will soon have two high schools that a child from Levittown can attend and they will get the opportunity to receive the same education," said Gilbert. She questioned why central administration would not do everything in its power to keep the principal who has brought the school to this level, questioning whether administration was afraid of someone who has been able to make such a difference. "Are we willing to take a chance with a less qualified professional in the future?" questioned Gilbert. "We seem to have enough money to spend on administration salaries, let's spend some on personnel that has demonstrated the ability to produce for our children."

Carol Caserta noted that rumors about job shifting within the district abound in Levittown at this time of year, but commented that this rumor is a concern because it involves job shifting out of the district, with the help of central administration. She said that normally she would ignore these rumors but she was concerned because these particular rumors revolve around Division Avenue High School. "If these rumors are true, I would hope you, the board of education, along with central administration, would do everything in your power to retain this trend-setting administrator who put Division Avenue High School on the academic map," said Caserta. She added that it was under this administration that Division has joined the Intel Science program, begun block scheduling, and had higher academic expectations and community pride, "for the first time in untold years." She went on to comment that under this administration the school has, "a vibrant and motivated staff, willing to work together for, 'Success for Every Student.'" Caserta concluded, "If these rumors are false, there is certainly no need to worry. I urge you to put the rumors to rest and keep the academic welfare of our students in mind, just do the right thing for our kids."

Gary Crozier, recalled being in the board room a few years prior, and listening to complaints about the substantial academic differences between the district's two high schools. "After some changes, the gap narrowed and has kept on a steady course and continued to achieve," said Crozier. "I now hear a rumor that the captain of this academic ship is looking for a transfer and the joint chiefs of staff are filling out the papers. Let's appreciate what we have and keep the ship on course. This school district is known for wasting taxpayer money on things such as infrastructure that should have been maintained, private bathrooms for administrators, unnecessary road projects, etc. Surely we can find the means to keep those who are helping our children achieve. We are here for our children."

Linda Crozier, stating that she was speaking for herself, noted that she currently has a son in the high school and her daughter will be attending the high school in September and finds what she has heard "very distressing." Crozier went on to ask, "Why, when in the past four years there has been such a positive upswing in scores etc., why are you, the board of education and central administration not doing everything in your power and more to keep the present 'captain'? As a PTA president I've been very happy to report to people all the positive changes, yet to hear this tonight, I am disappointed, almost to the point of taking it personally." She said that she would have thought the board and administration would have been happy not to have parents at every meeting complaining about the academic differences between the two high schools, because something was being done to remedy the situation. "Please think long and hard about your decision," concluded Crozier.

Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Herman Sirois scolded the speakers, saying that only one speaker identified the fact that these were only rumors, though the majority of the speakers used the word rumor several times. He went on to say that he felt it was inappropriate for the residents to bring this issue up at a public hearing. Sirois went on to say, "If an administrator in our school district, who is doing a great job, takes it upon himself to seek employment elsewhere to advance his career, I believe it would be unprofessional of me, or any of us, to stand in that person's way. If I choose to write a letter of recommendation, at the request of the administrator, I don't believe that that is somehow the wrong thing to do. As a matter of fact, I think it would be quite an insult, to have somebody work as hard as that and do what Dr. Chertok has done and not support him if he seeks to advance his career." Sirois said that it is the proper thing to do because it is Chertok's decision. He also commented that he did not believe that these rumors stemmed from the central administration office. "If anyone of our administrators, and many of our administrators have sought to advance their careers, came to me and asked me for a letter of recommendation I would help them, especially if they've done a good job." Sirois then said that nobody approached Dr. Chertok, or otherwise gave him any indication that they wanted him to leave the district. He then said he felt it would be disturbing for Chertok, that his decision was discussed in this manner. A member of the audience pointed out that Chertok's name was not mentioned by anyone other than Sirois himself.

Sirois concluded, "As far as offering incentives, the administration of this school district has a contract. It is illegal for us to make any arrangements outside that contract, if we could we would probably consider it."