Schools
School Board Appoints Edison Principal, Special Ed Director
School board announces a new principal for Edison School and a new director of special education.
At its last meeting before seniors graduate and the rest of the kids head off for summer, the Board of Education named replacements for a well-liked retiring principal and director of special education.
Parents applauded the news and congratulated the educators on their new positions, but the announcement that didn't happen -- naming a superintendent of schools -- was foremost on many minds and sparked passionate words when the meeting turned to public feedback.
The school board officially welcomed the newly-hired administrators on Thursday night. Ivan Tolentino takes over as Principal of Edison Elementary School, and Adrienne Mecca will serve as Director of Special Education.
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Tolentino, who will replace retiring Principal , was previously the founding principal of The Active Learning Elementary School in New York City and speaks fluent Spanish.
He said he sees himself in many Port Chester children.
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“As a son of immigrant parents, I succeeded thanks largely to the efforts of the educators I came in contact with as I was growing up,” he said.
Tolentino said he hopes to inspire kids the way his teachers did when he was a student.
Mecca will replace Liam McGuirk as director of special education after serving as chairwoman of the Committee on Special Education for the past four years.
“Not only does Ms. Mecca have the experience needed for the job, but she has a real understanding of our student population, our families, our community and our schools,” said Interim Superintendent Thomas Elliott.
While the superintendent search has been that includes Assistant Superintendent Frank Fanelli, Hackensack Superintendent Edward Kliszus and Ardsley Superintendent Charles Khoury, the school community will have to wait for news on a hire. That didn't prevent the search from becoming a topic on Thursday, particularly among Fanelli's vocal supporters.
“This is the most important decision a board can make, and I hope you consider the diamond right here in Mr. Fanelli,” said former school board member Pete Mutino.
Just as they did two weeks ago following candidate interviews, .
“We want to respect everyone’s privacy, including the candidates, by taking our time,” said Blanca Lopez, the board's vice president.
