Pleasantville Solidifies HS Principal Search Committee

A 13-person search committee to provide feedback and recommendations in the selection of a principal for Pleasantville High School has been formed, according to an email from the group.

Seven parents, three PHS teachers, two district administrators and a Parent Council co-chair make up the team that will work with the Board of Education and two Southern-Westchester BOCES consultants to field candidates for the position.

"BOCES has identified several candidates for the initial interview process which has begun," the committee reported. "The Initial interview process uses Behavioral Interviewing Techniques. This technique is widely used in the corporate world and is a evidence-based system concentrating on technical and performance skills."

The committee reported the listing for the job opening, which comes after the Board accepted current Principal Dawn Bartz's controversial resignation last month, will close to applicants today.

The group will sort through the "over 70 resumes received to date" (as of Saturday).

"The committee has access to all resumes received and will be actively involved in the interview process," the email states. "All committee members have signed confidentiality agreements protecting the privacy rights of all applicants."

Committee member and High School Social Studies Department Chair Virginia Mancini, citing the confidentiality agreement, said she has "no comments whatsoever" regarding the committee and its role.

Stand-out candidates will be interviewed by the committee. Meanwhile, a search for an interim principal is also ongoing.

"If the committee does not have a candidate to move forward for the probationary position, it will engage in a search for an interim principal," the committee stated.

The Board of Education has said it would like to be able to appoint its new principal by its August 6 meeting; a goal some community members have said seems rushed.

Board President Shane McGaffey told Patch he understands residents' concerns about the process, but notes, "Even to get an interim, we have to go through this process."

Without making an effort to fill the position with a permanent administrators, McGaffey explained it isn't likely New York State's Education Department will sign off on an interim waiver.

The resignation acceptance last month has drawn ire from some residents at subsequent meetings who are unhappy with the board's inability to elaborate on the circumstances surrounding two-year Principal Bartz's resignation agreement.

McGaffey said he is concerned that some residents seem to believe the decision to draw up and sign the agreement was made entirely by Superintendent Mary Fox-Alter. 

"The fact that we vote 5-0 [shows] this is a board decision," he said.

Still, board members are frustrated that they are limited by the agreement's confidentiality provision, according to the newly-instated president.

"We would like to provide more information," he noted. "We are trying to find ways to give the community more insight."

For further reading:
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