Pleasantville school officials announced last night they have hired Joseph Palumbo as principal of Pleasantville High School, ending a process begun almost a year ago after an acrimonious parting with former Principal Dawn Bartz.
Bartz was appointed to the post in 2011. When she left in June 2013, against her will though she had written a letter of resignation which the board had accepted, the school trustees said they hoped to have her replacement by
Aug. 1.
Instead, as residents argued about the dismissal, district officials appointed an interim. In August, Daniel McCann, the retired superintendent of the nearby Hendrick Hudson district, took the leadership role at the school.
During the months-long search for a permanent replacement that followed, a search committee received 145 applications for the post and interviewed 11 candidates before choosing Palumbo.
He starts July 1.
For further reading:
High School Principal Search Update
Board, Residents Continue Pleasantville Principal Debate
Pleasantville Community Comes Out as Principal Saga Continues
Bartz Supporters Launch Online Petition
Community Input Part of Pleasantville Principal Search
Pleasantville Board of Ed Eyes New Principal by Aug. 1
Pleasantville BOE Reaffirms Bartz's Resignation
WATCH: Dawn Bartz Speaks After Board Vote
Editor's Note: Dawn Bartz said last summer that she applied for the interim job. The original version of this article was incorrect. Patch regrets the error.
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