The longtime principal of St. Isidore School in Riverhead is leaving her position at the end of this school year.
The Rev. Robert Kuznik, pastor of St. Isidore Parish, informed the parish school community in a letter sent to parents, staff and teachers by email yesterday.
Sr. Linda Chichi “will be moving on to other ministries in her religious congregation, Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth,” Fr. Kuznik wrote in the letter.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Sr. Linda for the 22 years of her faithful ministry in educating the children of St. Isidore School and of surrounding parish communities.”
The pastor said he would soon begin work to organize a search committee. Members of the school board, the diocesan personnel office and education department will be represented on the committee, he said in the letter.
Dennis and Connie Kenter, parents of children who attend the parochial school, sent an email to other parents asking them to support a protest movement against the principal’s “reassignment.”
“This is truly a loss for our school and our families,” the Kenters wrote in the email circulated this afternoon.
“I do not feel that we should just accept her being reassigned (fired) by Father Robert! I for one am going to be a voice about all of the things wrong with this. This was not a full decision by our school board. This was a ‘dictatorship’ decision, with no options offered. I just don’t accept this, not without a fight,” the email said.
The Kenters urged all parents to attend the upcoming meeting of the St. Isidore Board of Education on March 27. They also asked for emails expressing support of Sr. Linda, which they said they would present to the school board and the diocese.
Other parents supported the pastor. “It is indeed his prerogative and responsibility to move the school in a new direction as he sees fit. I support his decision and wish the school luck in the future,” wrote one.
Fr. Kuznik could not immediately be reached for comment.
“We’re very grateful for her 22 years of service,” said Riverhead Police Chief David Hegermiller, a member of the school’s board of education. The pastor decided not to renew her contract, he said.
“Hopefully she got us through the worst of times and things will continue to improve,” Hegermiller said, noting that enrollment at the school is on the upswing.
St. Isidore’s celebrated it’s 50th anniversary during the 2012-2013 school year.
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