Parents Press for Assistant Principal Lisa to Lead Halsey After Principal Surachi's Retirement

Community Education Council 28 members and parents pressed New York City Public Schools officials on the C30 principal-selection process after Principal Surachi of Halsey Junior High School filed a notice of intent to retire, saying the school needs a seamless leadership transition.

The district's community superintendent, identified in the meeting as Dr. Blake, described the C30 process as "a set of guidelines and steps for selecting principals, school leaders, and to ensure ... it is indeed a fair process, very transparent, and based on merit," and said the posting and formal steps are controlled by central DOE rather than by a single superintendent. "The posting will be done. We're trying to go for December 15," he said.

Parents and several CEC members said the Halsey community has already coalesced behind Assistant Principal "Miss Lisa," who they described as experienced and ready to lead immediately.

Why it matters: Parents said an interim or lengthy search could disrupt instruction and school culture at a high-performing middle school that draws many non-zoned students. Several speakers told the council they wanted the process to preserve continuity and avoid what one called "an interruption" to programs and supports.

Discussion and details Dr. Blake described the two-level C30 screening sequence: a Level 1 committee including parents, the school leadership team and union representatives reviews candidates after a vacancy is posted; Level 2 includes the superintendent meeting recommended finalists for final interviews and appointment. He emphasized background checks and the central DOE's role in posting and scheduling. "It doesn't matter if the person is in the DOE or not...a background check must be done," he said.

At least three parents and community speakers urged the district to consider promoting the school's longtime assistant leader. Irene Ravesky, speaking during public comment, said the community would like to know "why isn't this posting being opened immediately?" and urged the superintendent to "take in consideration our community's support for Miss Lisa." Another parent, Nancy, said appointing Lisa would provide "a seamless transition for the school, the community, the teachers, and the incoming students."

Dr. Blake responded that the C30 process had been initiated and that central DOE would determine the posting timing. He said that, if the vacancy could not be posted and completed before Feb. 1, an interim appointment would be necessary; he also said Miss Lisa had been interviewed and "is being considered as a candidate." He repeated the DOE's aim for a fair, transparent process: "I hear you, and the process will unfold pretty naturally."

Clarifying details and outstanding questions - Principal Surachi submitted a retirement notice that the superintendent said had been forwarded to central DOE; the superintendent indicated an earlier notice was insufficient but a new notification was received and processed. - Dr. Blake said the district is targeting a December 15 posting date but that central DOE controls timing; if the appointment cannot be finalized by Feb. 1 an interim principal would be named. - Parents requested explicit confirmation that Miss Lisa would be eligible to be appointed immediately and asked the superintendent to prioritize continuity; Dr. Blake said she has been interviewed and considered.

Ending Several speakers said they would follow up with the superintendent and the school leadership team. The CEC encouraged parents to use the council and district channels to register their views while the DOE completes the formal C30 posting and committee steps.