WHHS principal will not return

Although he only joined West Hempstead High School as principal in November 2009, Frank Viteritti is already on his way out.

In a statement released Monday afternoon, district officials notified the community that Viteritti will not be returning to his position for the 2011-12 school year.

"The district thanks Mr. Viterriti for his service and wishes him the best in his future endeavors," read the statement. "The search for a new high school principal will begin immediately with the hope that the instructional leader will be in place when students return in September."

District official said they could not discuss personnel issues in detail or cite reasons for Viteritti's "separation."

Viteritti answered the Herald's call to his home, but said he was "very busy" and hung up immediately after this reporter identified herself.

Viteritti was appointed by the Board of Education in 2009 following interviews with administrators, teachers and parents. He has more than a decade of secondary school leadership experience, and served as principal of upstate Westlake High School from 2002 until his appointment at WHHS.

According to a short biography released by the district after his appointment, Viteritti has introduced at Westlake the "Breaking Ranks" reform program designed to personalize and strengthen secondary schools. The district called Viteritti a "forward-thinking administrator" and lauded his application of the successful "Understanding by Design" concept to the curriculum, instruction and assessment at Westlake.

Prior to Westlake, Viteritti served as assistant principal at both Plainedge and Pleasantville high schools. He became acting principal at Pleasantville shortly thereafter. He had also spent 10 years in the social studies department at Uniondale High School — first as a teacher and later as chairman.

Stay with the Herald for more information as the story develops.