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Residents urge board to reconsider Hillside principal reassignment; superintendent defends plan
Summary
Residents and Hillside families spoke at the May 26 Tredyffrin‑Easttown School Board meeting urging the board to reconsider reassignment of Hillside principal Michelle Staves; Superintendent Dr. Guzik defended the decision as part of district staffing plans ahead of Bear Hill Elementary’s 2027 opening.
Residents pressed the Tredyffrin‑Easttown School Board on May 26 to halt or explain an administrative reassignment that will move Hillside Elementary principal Michelle Staves to another school.
“I am both a parent and a support staff member at Hillside Elementary School… Her leadership has had a profoundly positive impact on our school community,” Nancy Peters Farren told the board, urging greater transparency and asking the board to “carefully consider the voices of the people most directly impacted.”
Several other Hillside parents spoke in support of Staves, describing short notice of the change, concern about continuity for young students and the likelihood of multiple principal changes over coming years. Marielle Damaro said the prospect of “three different principals in the next three years” would disrupt students’ transitions.
Superintendent Dr. Guzik responded with empathy and a substantive explanation. He said the district is preparing for the opening of Bear Hill Elementary in 2027 and that some leadership changes were made to place an experienced administrative team in position “one year ahead of time so that everyone has a chance to adjust.” He noted that Bear Hill will support full‑day kindergarten and that staffing for the new school will draw primarily from existing elementary schools.
Dr. Guzik also said the district will announce a parent steering subcommittee in the fall to help establish attendance boundaries and that more information about school assignments will follow.
The board heard these comments during the public participation period set aside for consent‑agenda matters. The consent agenda (which included administrative assignments as presented in the packet) was approved by voice vote, the president announced, with the motion carrying 9 to 0.
What happens next: the district plans to form the boundary subcommittee this fall, and parents will receive additional details as the Bear Hill transition work continues. The administrative assignments approved on the consent agenda were entered into the official record at the May 26 meeting.
