Recommendation expected on Touretz

Though Lawrence Superintendent Dr. John Fitzsimons has said he would soon have a recommendation for the Board of Education regarding suspended high school Principal Geoffrey Touretz, Fitzsimons does not expect to share it with the public at next Tuesday’s board meeting.

“We will have a recommendation, but I told people I cannot discuss any details,” said Fitzsimons, explaining that it is a personnel matter and will be discussed in executive session.

Asked what he would tell the many residents who may attend the meeting wanting to know about Touretz, who was suspended from his job in mid-October, Fitzsimons said, “I can’t answer them. I’m pretty sure that’s the way it operates. I will double-check with counsel to maneuver through the actions.”

Aside from Board of Education President Murray Forman’s telling the Herald that Touretz was suspended from his job and that a recommendation would be forthcoming from the superintendent, the district has said little about the situation. No one, including the school district’s attorney, Al D’Agostino, will say why Touretz was suspended.

“I still can’t make comments on the record,” D’Agostino said. “All I will tell you is the individual is not behind his desk.” He said that state education law requires that the board take a vote on the matter only in executive session.

Touretz himself has also been mum regarding his predicament, telling the Herald recently that he had no comment.

For their part, however, district residents have not hesitated to voice their frustration over an incident many say is doing more harm than good. “It’s unfortunate. Internally, we have very little information,” said Atlantic Beach resident Andrew Levy, whose wife is a teacher in the district. “Unfortunately, we don’t have a principal.”

The district has put the three assistant high school principals, Roseann Epp, Dr. Jennifer Lagnado and Sean Coffin, in charge of the building, and according to Fitzsimons, “the building is well administered and supervised.”

Lawrence Parent-Teacher Association Council President Penny Shuster said she is also frustrated that there is a lack of information coming from district officials. “Nobody has been forthcoming,” Shuster said. “We asked what’s going to happen next and have gotten no answers.”

Frustrated parent Barry Ringelheim also wants answers from the district. “We need to know why they relieved him of his duties,” the Atlantic Beach resident said. “If you got something against him, tell the public. If not, put him back to work. He enjoyed his job.”

The next school board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday at 8 p.m. in the middle school auditorium.