New principal for PS 20
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Word comes from Joyce Szuflita of NYCSchoolHelp that an interim acting principal was named at PS 20 in Fort Greene. The new principal, Lena Barbera, comes from a popular Boerum Hill school, PS 261, where she has been on staff since 1996, most recently as assistant principal. Check out the PS 261 website for more information about her. According to PS 20 PTA President Ayanna Blaize, Barbera has already reached out to both the PTA and staff .
PS 20 was in the news last spring when it was slated to become one of three new citywide Gifted and Talented programs to open in September. The program was nixed after too few families applied. In May, Principal Sean Keaton was arrested for allegedly assaulting a teacher. (The New York Times Local Fort Greene/Clinton Hill blog covered the story extensively this spring but there’s been no word on the fate of the former principal. According to Blaize, school officials say they are “still investigating.”)
UPDATE (7/31): According to The New York Post, Sean Keaton, the former principal, “has been assigned to the district office pending the outcome of his criminal case.” The article quotes Keaton’s lawyer saying he expects his client will be cleared and return to the school “in good standing.”
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I am filled with mixed emotions….I am a teacher at PS 261 and am happy for Lena and PS 20 but so so sad for our school. She was my mentor teacher when I started teaching 5th grade 10 years ago. Lena we are going to miss you very much.
Comment by Don — July 31, 2009 @ 4:47 pm