BOE Promotes Hajduk; Music Cuts Criticized

Beginning next week Kevin Hajduk, the Middle School assistant principal, will take the reins from retiring Principal Steven J. Novak.

The Board of Education tonight unanimously voted to promote Hajduk during a special meeting at which it was also supposed to appoint a replacement for retiring High School Principal Dr. Kenneth May.  That appointment was left blank on the agenda without explanation.

Board Member Carol Byrne urged the Board to work on finding new leadership for the high school "as soon as possible" and raised the possibility of appointing one of the assistant principals temporarily since school is only a month away.

Hajduk's appointment proved quite popular, with members of the audience complimenting the Board on its decision.  Less popular is the Board's decision to eliminate a music teacher at Riley School.  About a half dozen speakers questioned splitting three music teachers among four elementary schools.

"The students will suffer," said Riley School Principal Al Czech after approaching the podium and asking the Board to reconsider.

According Czech, the move will mean students at Riley, Kennedy, and Franklin Schools will only receive music once a week.  Meanwhile, Roosevelt School students will have a dedicated teacher who visits classrooms twice weekly.

Kennedy School music teacher Barbara Habeeb echoed Czech's concerns, stating that eliminating a music teacher would require curriculum changes and lead to fewer special programs for the kids, like plays and recitals. 

"It's not fair," Kennedy School parent Danielle Leonardis told the Board.  Leonardis said her daughters enjoy their music classes and should not be forced to endure a cut, when at the same time, Roosevelt School students would continue with their music programs intact.

Czech, a former Athletic Director, suggested the Board look at cutting other programs, like freshman sports, instead of music. The Board recently reinstated freshman sports, which had been cut during budget negotiations in April.

Board Vice President Pio Pennisi responded to parent concerns by saying he would have his Curriculum Committee look at class sizes and "revisit" the issue.  But he urged Czech and parents to "stay positive" and not "point the finger at other programs" like freshman sports.  "If we do what you want, they'll be here next month," he said.