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Suffern board approves Benatti as next high school principal; some members question hiring process
Summary
The Suffern Central School District board on March 24 approved Ms. Benatti as the next Suffern High School principal effective July 1; several board members voiced concern that the district did not conduct interviews for the internal candidate.
The Suffern Central School District Board of Education unanimously approved the appointment of Ms. Benatti as the next principal of Suffern High School, effective July 1, the superintendent announced at the March 24 meeting.
The superintendent recommended Ms. Benatti, who has served as principal of RP Connor Elementary School for the past decade, saying she is “a respected and accomplished instructional leader” and “known for fostering strong student leadership programs” and partnerships with outside organizations. The superintendent said the district will begin a search for a successor at RP Connor and would work with staff to ensure a smooth transition.
Despite the unanimous approval, several board members raised procedural concerns about the hiring process. One board member read a prepared statement criticizing the administration’s decision to select an internal candidate without an interview process, saying the lack of interviews was “a mistake” even while affirming support for the candidate. Board member Mr. Donnelly added, “I have a real problem with the lack of interview,” and said interviews reveal passion and information the board otherwise would not see; he clarified he had no objection to the candidate herself.
The board nevertheless moved and carried the appointment; the superintendent later confirmed the approval was unanimous. The transcript records verbal affirmations of support during the meeting but does not provide a roll-call style vote tally.
The meeting also included approval of professional personnel items (action item 2.01) after the board pulled and voted separately on parts three and four. No members of the public spoke on action items during the public participation period dedicated to action items.
Next procedural steps noted at the meeting included beginning the search for a principal for RP Connor Elementary School and publishing more information about that process to the community.
