Monday, April 21, 2025
Residents crowded the Hewlett School District Board of Education meeting on March 12, a month after they found out that Hewlett High School Principal Alexandra Greenberg would not be returning to the school.
More than 100 parents and students gathered in the Woodmere Education Center to voice their support for Greenberg, and to tell school board trustees why they believed it was in their best interests to bring her back.
Community members were made aware that Greenberg’s tenure at the high school was ending when a job listing was posted on OLAS, an online education job search platform, in February. They created a petition, which at press time had 322 signatures, in an effort to keep Greenberg on. Advertisements for last week’s meeting were posted on social media, encouraging people to attend.
School board President Debra Sheinin took to social media before the meeting to address the situation, saying that part of her job is to make the best decisions for the community, even if it isn’t the most popular choice.
“We, as the Board of Education, were elected by this community to serve the best interests of the entire district,” Sheinin said in a posted statement. “That includes the silent voices, those who cannot be heard, and the students who remain unseen due to confidentiality. And that also means making decisions that are not always popular or easy — but are necessary.”
Audience members were given two minutes to discuss non-agenda items, and many addressed the Greenberg decision. Sheinin directed that no individuals could be mentioned by name, and that no personal attacks would be permitted. It was clear, however, that speakers were referring to Greenberg, using phrases such as “the current administration” and “current leadership at the high school.”
Gil Bruh, a district parent and a Hewlett Harbor village trustee, encouraged the board to listen more carefully to its constituents.
“I want to acknowledge the conversations happening around the community, and some members of the community feel strongly about a leader and want that leader to remain in that position,” Bruh said. “I recognize that voices of our residents carry a great weight. Our community voices matter when people speak up. When they come together in support of a leader who has made an impact, that deserves attention and thoughtful consideration.”
Hewlett High students also showed their support for Greenberg, with many holding signs and some speaking on her behalf. One, Aaron Isakov, talked about the principal’s support for the student body, citing her consistent appearance at school events and her dedication to carrying out the district’s mission over the past three years.
“This high school administration has addressed challenges such as low student morale,” Isakov said. “I am a member of both theater and music, and there is not one concert or show where a person who I will not name hasn’t been there.”
He also cited Greenberg’s efforts to combat bullying, to strengthen parking regulations to hold more students accountable, and to reopen the bathrooms between classes, which previously had been plagued with misconduct.
Isakov also spoke on behalf of his mother, who was asked by Sheinin to sit down during her comments for directly referencing Greenberg, a decision that upset many in the audience, who clearly believed she had the right to continue speaking.
Another concern among many in attendance was the high turnover rate among principals at Hewlett High. Since 2015, the school has had five principals, and many say they are worried about the lack of consistency in its leadership.
Hewlett High School student Anastasia Khaimova addressed the turnover, saying that it led to issues in the school, but that it finally seemed to be changing under this administration.
“On average, two years in office were spent before leaving,” Khaimova said. “During these times, our school was filled with problems and chaos. Recently, things changed. Suddenly, we do have mental health awareness, drunk driving awareness, and we combat discrimination, knowing that the one in charge cares so much for the best interest of their students. Why would you change that?”
The Board of Education did not respond to any of the comments, and as of press time, the district was standing by its decision to let Greenberg go.
The board was scheduled to hold a regular meeting on Wednesday, after the Herald went to press. A work session is scheduled for April 9, at the Woodmere Education Center, 1 Johnson Ave., at 7:30 p.m.
Do you have an opinion on the Hewlett-Woodmere district’s decision to let Principal Alexandra Greenberg go? Send a letter to mberman@liherald.com.
