Board accepts Norwood principal Nicole McCarries’ resignation; appoints Amanda Prinz amid public criticism

The Brookhaven-Comsewogue Union Free School District Board of Education on June 8 approved the resignation of Nicole McCarries as principal of Norwood Avenue Elementary School, effective June 30, 2026, and voted to appoint Amanda Prinz to that elementary principal position effective July 1, 2026.

Board staff presented the resignation and appointment as recommended actions. When the resignation motion was called, several board members recorded abstentions before the chair announced that the motion carried. The subsequent appointment of Amanda Prinz — a four-year probationary elementary principal appointment through June 30, 2030 — was approved after a motion and a second by Miss Enright.

The decisions prompted a string of emotional public comments during the meeting’s public-comment period. Gina Blackburn introduced herself and told the board, “My name is Gina Blackburn. We're here again now that the rumors are no longer rumors,” saying she felt the community’s concerns had not been fully heard. Melissa Michaud, who addressed the board earlier in the public-comment period, asked that it be placed on the record “what a wonderful educator I think that principal was,” and said the principal would be missed by the community. Jessica (last name transcribed as Corvino) told the board, “You guys have failed us,” and said 375 people had signed a petition supporting the principal.

A community member who identified herself as the head of digital communications and outreach for a national telecommunications company said the district has a “community outreach problem” and said she would attend future meetings to press the issue. The speaker linked the petition turnout and voter participation and said she planned to be a constant presence at board meetings.

Board members acknowledged the public remarks. One board member said she had been deeply saddened by the outcome but had acted on information provided by administration and declined to discuss personal matters in public. The board moved to executive session after completing the public record.

The board’s public packet listed the effective dates for the personnel actions and recorded that motions to approve the resignation and the appointment carried. The meeting record shows the board completed its votes and then adjourned to executive session for legal advice.

What happens next: the appointment of Amanda Prinz is effective July 1, 2026, and the district will implement the administrative transition. The board did not vote on reversing the resignation during the public meeting; members who raised procedural or personnel confidentiality concerns said those matters were guided by information from district administration.

Provenance: The resignation recommendation appears in the meeting record as “It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the resignation of Nicole McCarries from her principal position at Norwood Avenue Elementary School, effective 06/30/2026.” Public comments opposing the board’s decision began with Gina Blackburn: “My name is Gina Blackburn. We're here again now that the rumors are no longer rumors.” The appointment of Amanda Prinz is recorded as approved in the superintendent’s recommendations and described in the meeting’s personnel items.

Ending: The board adjourned into executive session after the public-comment period; no reversal or additional public vote on the Norwood principal matter was recorded in the open meeting.