May 3, 2023

With One-on-Ones at Local Establishments, Leighton Newlin Plans to Keep Listening

By Anne Levin

When Leighton Newlin was elected to Princeton Council in 2021, he promised voters that he would represent them and listen to them — not just during his campaign, but throughout his time in office. The Princeton native has been making an effort to fulfill that promise with “Leighton Listens,” a series of informal one-on-one chats with members of the public at such area locales as Sakrid Coffee Roasters, LiLLiPiES, and Arlee’s Raw Blends.

The gatherings have gone so well that Newlin has scheduled another round. On Wednesdays this month, between 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., he plans to visit Earth’s End (May 3), Delizioso Bakery + Kitchen (May 10), Café Maman (May 17), Tipple & Rose (May 24), and Bagel Nook (May 31). The idea is twofold: to hear people’s comments and concerns, and give exposure to local establishments.

“It seems to me that if you’re really doing this job right, you don’t stop campaigning,” Newlin said this week. “You listen to people. And you keep it up. more

Annual Program Randomly Rewards Those Who Choose to Ride Bikes Rather than Drive

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CYCLING: During last year’s Random Acts of Community initiative, a future cyclist and her dad were rewarded with a packet of gift cards from local businesses for using a bike instead of a car to get around town.

By Anne Levin

When the Whole Earth Center first began handing out $25 gift cards to randomly reward cyclists for riding their bikes instead of driving their cars, it was the sole Princeton business involved.

Fast forward 18 years, and 26 local stores, restaurants, and organizations have joined the effort. The 2023 Random Acts of Community program, an annual event that takes place in May to coincide with National Bike Month, is handing out a total of $2,250 in gift cards, in packets that now range from $55 to $65, to 30 cyclists. more

School of Public and International Affairs Launches NJ-Focused Policy Initiative

By Donald Gilpin

Stuart Rabner

Princeton University’s School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA), best known for its extensive international scope, with scholars and programs “shaping public policy around the world,” according to its website, is ramping up its focus on issues closer to home.

About 200 students, professors, officials from state and local New Jersey government, and others from across the Garden State, gathered in SPIA’s Arthur Lewis Auditorium in Robertson Hall last Friday morning, April 28 to help launch the SPIA in New Jersey initiative. 

A longtime advocate for increasing SPIA’s footprint in New Jersey, SPIA Dean Amaney Jamal, who is also a professor of politics at the University, welcomed the participants to the three-and-a-half-hour event. 

“This morning you will hear from a distinguished group of New Jerseyans from across the political spectrum who have made meaningful contributions to cities and communities in our state,” she said. “Their presence here today reflects our commitment to take the research-driven nonpartisan approach to promote policies that foster racial, economic, and social justice statewide.”  more

Rider’s Bond Rating is Downgraded For the Third Time in Three Years

By Anne Levin

For the third time since 2020, Rider University’s bond rating has been downgraded by Moody’s Investor Service, citing the University’s $111 million in outstanding debt as of the end of fiscal year 2022.

“The downgrade of Rider University’s issuer rating to B2 from Ba3 is driven by the University’s ongoing multi-year deep deficit of operations, and rapidly deteriorating unrestricted liquidity, at just 22 monthly days cash on hand for fiscal 2022,” reads the April 5 report from Moody’s.

The action means the University still has a non-investment grade. Asked for comment, Rider’s Associate Vice President for University Marketing and Communications Kristine Brown said in an email on Monday that the announcement “reflects the reality that institutions like Rider University have been facing for years, such as challenging demographics and heightened competition. These financial concerns were only exacerbated by the pandemic, which unexpectedly drained our financial resources, bringing the situation to a critical point.” more

“Viriditas”

This painted on fabric and embroidered work is part of “Art in the Ballroom: Hanneke de Neve,” on view at the Present Day Club, 72 Stockton Street, May 5 through June 16. An opening reception is on May 5 from 5-8 p.m. The gallery is open on Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; call ahead at (609) 924-1014.

Springtime Array of Beautiful Blossoms at Perna’s Florist, Plant & Garden Center

FAMILY TRADITION: “We are set apart by our long history and experience, and we are a real family business. I am the third generation to be part of it, and my son Michael is the fourth.” Sarah Conte, owner of Perna’s Florist, Plant & Garden Center, is shown with her son and colleague Michael Conte in the entrance to the garden center amid a display of May flowers.

By Jean Stratton

“I may be an old man, but I am a young gardener.”

These words were written in his later years by Thomas Jefferson to a friend. Always ready to learn more, he knew that gardening could be wonderfully rewarding, and also remarkably challenging.

When planting a garden, whether it is a casual or serious undertaking, relying on the most reliable and experienced helpers to guide the process is a priority.

Perna’s Florist, Plant & Garden Center is such a resource. Located at 189 Washington Road in West Windsor since 1976, the longtime family business dates back even further. George Mazur, grandfather of Perna’s current owner Sarah Conte, opened Mazur’s Nursery in 1931. more

April 26, 2023

Chmiel and His Lawyers Consider Next Steps

PHS WALKOUT: About 100 Princeton High School students walked out of school early on Friday and marched down Moore Street to the Valley Road administration building in protest against last month’s dismissal of PHS Principal Frank Chmiel.  Chmiel and his lawyers are planning their next steps, considering whether to request an appeal hearing with the Princeton Public Schools Board of Education.

By Donald Gilpin

Lawyers for Frank Chmiel, who was removed last month as Princeton High School (PHS) principal, have confirmed that they have received from the Princeton Public Schools  (PPS) superintendent the statement of reasons for Chmiel’s nonrenewal.

Chmiel and his lawyers will now decide on their next step — whether to request a Donaldson hearing before the PPS Board of Education (BOE) to appeal the decision and whether that hearing would be public or private.

“We are reviewing the document and determining our next steps,” Chmiel’s lawyer David Schroth wrote in an email on Monday. “Until we have fully evaluated the statement of reasons I can’t say what our next steps will be.” more

Primary in Six Weeks, Cohen and Fraga Are Unopposed for Council

By Donald Gilpin

With the June 6 primary less than six weeks away, nominations for Princeton Council, State Senate and General Assembly for the 16th legislative district, Mercer County Executive, and Mercer County Sheriff are all uncontested.

Incumbents David Cohen and Leticia Fraga have filed to run for the Democratic nomination to reclaim their positions on Princeton Council. No Republican candidates have filed to run for Council nomination.

In the primary for State Senate for the 16th district, incumbent Andrew Zwicker is running unopposed for the Democratic nomination, and Michael Pappas is unopposed for the Republican nomination. Zwicker defeated Pappas in the 2021 general election for state senator. more

Future of Seminary Site Is Topic of Second “Roundtable”

By Anne Levin

On Saturday, May, 6 at 10 a.m., the municipality will hold its second Community Roundtable devoted to the future development of the Tennent-Roberts-Whiteley sites at Princeton Theological Seminary (PTS). The gathering will be at Witherspoon Hall and run through 12 p.m.

Municipal staff held its first Community Roundtable on the subject March 18. Residents of the neighborhood surrounding the campus were able to ask questions and offer feedback about the site, which was designated an area in need of redevelopment (ANR) four years ago. The contract purchaser is local developer Jamie Herring.

“This will be a continuation of that conversation,” Princeton’s Planning Director Justin Lesko said of the upcoming meeting. “We’ll take what we heard at the first roundtable and begin to formulate whatever sort of redevelopment plan might emerge. We can now say, okay, we heard you want stormwater management and no below-ground parking. Now, let’s dig into that. I anticipate at least another meeting, or multiple ones, before a plan comes out.” more

Gardens Cooperative Kicks Off Pilot Program with Public Schools

GOOD FOOD AND WELL-BEING: Cooks and gardens team members in the Princeton Public Schools (PPS) teaching kitchens, from left: Chef Elisabeth Quatrano, Faculty Advisor Janet Gaudino, Chef Marilyn Besner, and PPS Food Systems Literacy Coordinator Tomia MacQueen. Not pictured: Faculty Advisor Betsey Valenza and Master Gardner Debbie Gries. The Princeton Public Schools (PPS) are looking forward to good food and an enriched curriculum, as PPS collaborates with Princeton School Gardens in a year-long pilot program coordinated by MacQueen. (Photo courtesy ofPrinceton School Gardens)

By Donald Gilpin

Coordinated by educator and master gardener Tomia MacQueen, Princeton Public Schools (PPS) and Princeton School Garden Cooperative (PSGC) last week kicked off a collaborative one-year pilot program “to optimize untapped campus resources for illustrating and amplifying curriculum,” according to a PSGC press release.

“We need to educate our students and give them a well-rounded way of thinking in terms of their food and their lifestyle in stewarding the planet,” said MacQueen, who specializes in edible gardens and is the founder of Gardening for Life (Love, Inspiration, Faith, and Empowerment) and Wildflower Farm in Pennington. more

School Matters 4-26

New Schoolyard Habitat Recognized at Princeton Montessori

Princeton Montessori School’s (PMonts) Schoolyard Habitat has been officially certified by the National Wildlife Federation, America’s largest wildlife conservation and education organization.

PMonts, with its Garden for Wildlife program, has joined more than 5,000 schools nationwide that have created thriving habitats in their schoolyards, providing essential elements for wildlife: natural food sources, clean water, cover, and places to raise young.

“We are pleased that our beautiful campus is now a Certified Wildlife Habitat,” said Head of School Michelle Morrison, as quoted in an April 18 PMonts press release. “Spending time in nature is a core tenet of the Montessori philosophy, as Dr. Montessori believed that exposure to nature promotes physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development in children.”

The habitat also provides an outdoor education site for students to engage in cross-curricular learning, and certification makes their Certified Wildlife Habitat part of the Million Pollinator Garden challenge, a national effort to restore critical habitat for pollinators.

The PMonts campus includes several flower gardens, a new wildflower garden, and an expanded vegetable garden. The school’s 20 acres of woodland include species like oak, sweet gum, black tulip, American elm, common persimmon, and may other native plants.

PMonts students spend a lot of time outdoors, the press release notes, particularly during their weekly ecology class in grades 1-8.

“My aim for the ecology students is to not just be comfortable in nature, but to truly appreciate it and grow up wanting to protect it,” said PMonts ecology teacher Gery Juleff. “Rain or shine, we try to go outside and use our outdoor classroom in the heart of our woods. The students love it there.”

 more

April 19, 2023

Protesters Rally to Reinstate Chmiel

“BRING BACK CHMIEL!”: More than 100 demonstrators gathered in Hinds Plaza on Sunday afternoon to protest last month’s ouster of Princeton High School Principal Frank Chmiel and to support what is likely to be an appeal hearing with Chmiel and his lawyers making their case before the Princeton Public Schools’ superintendent and Board of Education. (Photo by Mimi Omiecinski)

By Donald Gilpin

More than a month since his sudden dismissal as Princeton High School (PHS) principal on March 17, Frank Chmiel and his lawyers are awaiting the delivery from Princeton Public Schools (PPS) Superintendent Carol Kelley of a statement of reasons for the decision to place Chmiel on administrative leave.

New Interim Principal Kathie Foster has been installed at PHS since March 30, but neither Chmiel nor his supporters — more than 100 turned out for an April 16 rally in Hinds Plaza to “Save Princeton High School! Reinstate Principal Chmiel!” — are ready to move on.

On receiving the reasons for dismissal from the superintendent, Chmiel, according to his lawyers who expect the statement to arrive on Thursday, April 20, will most likely request a hearing, which he may or may not choose to make public, in which he and his lawyers will appeal the decision. The PPS Board of Education (BOE), in accordance with state law, will not release information from Chmiel’s personnel file unless he waives his right to privacy. more

HomeFront to Feature New York Times Writer, Winner of Two Pulitzers

By Donald Gilpin

Andrea Elliott
(Photo courtesy of HomeFront)

New York Times staff writer and two-time Pulitzer Prize-winner Andrea Elliott will be the keynote speaker at HomeFront’s annual Women’s Initiative reception at the Westin Princeton at Forrestal Village on April 27.

Author of Invisible Child: Poverty, Survival & Hope in an American City, which won the 2022 Pulitzer in General Nonfiction, Elliott is the Ferris Professor of Journalism at Princeton University, teaching a course this term on immersion journalism and narrative nonfiction.

Joining Elliott on stage will be Chanel Sykes and her daughter Dasani, the “invisible child” whose life in New York City Elliott followed for almost a decade, reporting on the poverty, homelessness, and the girl’s extraordinary resilience in the face of devastating inequalities throughout her teenage years.

“This is the first time that Dasani and her mother, Chanel, will be appearing in person before a large audience,” said Elliott. “It’s momentous. The event will center around a conversation between Chanel and me that revisits the story of the Sykes family and the struggles that Chanel and Dasani have endured. I will also be talking about the journey of reporting and writing Invisible Child.” more

Area Writers Meet the Public At Library’s Local Author Day

By Anne Levin   

In the 12 years since Princeton Public Library inaugurated Local Author Day, the event has become something of a local tradition. Writers from within a 20-mile radius of Princeton gather on the library’s first floor to greet readers, sign, and sell their books. Practical presentations focus on the details of getting a book published.

Thanks to the pandemic, Local Author Day was paused in 2020, presented virtually in 2021, and as a hybrid in 2022. It returns in its original form on Saturday, April 29. Save for a Zoom presentation the evening before, everything is in person from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with 44 authors ready to meet the public during the annual author fair.

“It’s an opportunity to see just how many really talented people are publishing locally,” said Nora Walsh, the library’s adult services librarian. “There are so many different types of books this year, and some of the writers are right in town. It’s great for the authors, too, because they get to meet their peers and commiserate. When you’re a writer, you don’t usually have an office to go to every day.” more

From Hip-Hop and R&B to Classical At Second Annual Princeton Porchfest

MUSIC IN THE AIR: Princeton’s porches will be the setting for a range of bands and ensembles at the Arts Council of Princeton’s Porchfest on Saturday, April 29.

By Anne Levin

With some 89 musical attractions signed up to perform on 18 porches in town, the second annual Princeton Porchfest on Saturday, April 29 is shaping up to be bigger and broader than the one that debuted last year.

But Porchfest can only grow so much. The daylong music festival was created to replace Communiversity, an annual street fair that, over its five decades, had ballooned to an event that attracted some 30,000 people to the central business district and the Princeton University campus. Porchfest is smaller and all about music, art, and the local community. Rotating sets are performed on front porches and other locations throughout the downtown.

Several genres are represented. “We have more hip-hop and R&B this year, and the Princeton Festival is doing something classical,” said Adam Welch, executive director of the Arts Council of Princeton, which presents the event. “Instead of the Lewis Center on the University campus, they will be at Maclean House, which is a little bit closer to the central business district. And it’s next to Nassau Hall and the Nassau green, which was the first location of Communiversity.” more

Local Francophone Club Hosts Event To Help Foster Business Connections

FRENCH CONNECTIONS: The Princeton business development club Princeton Expat Pro sponsored a networking event in town and on the campus last week, attracting some 70 attendees from many types of businesses. (Photo by Tamara de Ghellinck)

By Anne Levin

After three years of organizing gatherings over Zoom, Princeton Expat Pro (PEP) was ready to put together a live event. Last Thursday, April 13, the organization, which supports French-speaking professionals in developing their careers, partnered with Princeton University’s Entrepreneurship Council (PEC) and the Keller Center to present “Synergy and Networking.”

The idea was to connect University and Francophone (French-speaking) business leaders at the event, which was held at the Princeton Entrepreneurial Hub on Chambers Street and at Rockefeller College on the campus. More than 70 people attended, starting with a guided tour of the campus before hearing joint presentations by the Princeton Entrepreneurial Hub and Francophone entrepreneurs. A cocktail party and networking followed. more

PPS Students Win Multiple Awards At Mercer Science and Engineering Fair

By Donald Gilpin

With an array of projects in the fields of math, physics, plant science, environmental science, computer science, chemistry, biochemistry, biology, and medicine, seven Princeton High School (PHS) students and a Princeton Middle School student brought home a total of 12 awards from the Mercer County Science and Engineering Fair held at Rider University earlier this month.

Many of the students who received awards participate in the PHS Research Program where they develop experiments, collect data, and produce their results under the guidance of PHS science teachers Mark Eastburn, James Smirk, and Jennifer Smolyn, along with PHS computer science teacher Grace Elia.

“We are close to realizing the greater goal of getting every student in our community to explore their passion and complete a meaningful inquiry project before high school graduation,” said PHS Science Supervisor Joy Barnes-Johnson in congratulating the group and wishing them ongoing success in their STEM explorations. more

April 12, 2023

Town Presents Proposal on Open Space Diversion

By Anne Levin

Monday, April 17 is the last day to submit comments about the municipality’s proposal to purchase three parcels of land along the Princeton Ridge, an “open space diversion” to compensate for the three-acre site on which the town mistakenly built Witherspoon Hall in 2002.

Municipal staff members held a meeting on April 3 to present their proposal and hear from the public. While some spoke in support, others questioned why the focus was on property at the far northern edge of Princeton instead of closer to town. The acreage, as proposed, would become part of Princeton’s “Emerald Necklace,” linking green spaces to one another.

According to the rules of the Green Acres program, Princeton must dedicate five acres of open space for each of the acres that were developed in error. The three acres on which the municipal complex sits were supposed to be for parks and recreation. The mistake was discovered while the town was completing its recent inventory of open space and parks.

Asked by Race Street resident Patrick DeAlmeida why that happened in the first place, Municipal Administrator Bernie Hvozdovic said he didn’t know. “No one sitting at this table was here, so I can’t answer how it happened,” he said. “It should not have happened, but it happened, so we find ourselves here.” more

Council Amends Budget To Lower Increase For Princeton Taxpayers

By Anne Levin

At its meeting on Monday, April 10, Princeton Council amended the 2023 budget to reduce the tax increase from what was originally introduced as $0.045 per $100 of assessed value, instead to $0.029 per $100 of assessed value. This translates to an increase for the average Princeton taxpayer of $279 for the year.

The meeting also included presentations on Phase III of the Witherspoon Street Improvement Project, which extends from Leigh Avenue to Valley Road, and efforts by the Civil Rights Commission (CRC) to change the “Welcome to Princeton” signs located at gateways to the town.

The budget was introduced last month at $72.47 million, a rise of about $1.27 million over the last year. The increase is due to a rise in costs for things like health care and waste management. Several members of Council thanked the town’s Chief Financial Officer Sandy Webb and her team for getting the cost down.

“Some prices for equipment we’re replacing were shockingly high,” said Councilwoman Eve Niedergang. “It’s still a tax increase, which we don’t like to see, but it’s a lot less than what we started with. A lot of creativity and hard work went into that.” A public hearing on the resolution is April 24. more

Three Schools Win Sustainability Grants, PPS Steps Up Efforts on Multiple Fronts

SUSTAINABLE SCHOOLS: Johnson Park Elementary, Riverside Elementary, and Princeton High School (PHS) each received a $2,000 grant from Sustainable Jersey for Schools funded by the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA).  From left are Sustainable Jersey Board Trustee Gary Sondermeyer, NJEA’s Mike Rollins, PHS Assistant Principal Nicole Mantuano Lacsamana, PHS PTO’s Theresa Vaccarro, PHS science teacher James Smirk, and Sustainable Jersey’s Randy Solomon.

By Donald Gilpin

Johnson Park Elementary, Riverside Elementary, and Princeton High School (PHS) have each received a $2,000 Sustainable Jersey for Schools grant funded by the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA).

“Sustainability is an integral part of our work at Princeton Public Schools (PPS),” said PPS Superintendent Carol Kelley. “Congratulations to each of these schools and their Green Teams!”

The grant to Johnson Park will be supporting the school’s transition away from disposable plates and cups for classroom parties and parent functions. “This grant will allow Johnson Park to build a supply of reusable service ware and test out a flatware retriever in the cafeteria,” said Johnson Park Principal Angela Siso Stentz. “I am incredibly proud of the Johnson Park Green Team and all of its efforts to make our school more sustainable.” more

Eclectic, Unconventional, Very Popular Splash Program Comes to PU April 22

PLUNGING IN WITH SPLASH: Students participating in last year’s Splash event try their hand at calligraphy. Princeton Splash 2023 will take place on April 22 in classrooms, dance studios, and kitchens on the Princeton University campus, as hundreds of area high school students attend more than 100 different classes taught by University students on subjects ranging from lifeguarding to chocolate-making to quantum cryptography, and much more. (Photo courtesy of Princeton Splash, Pace Center at Princeton University)

By Donald Gilpin

The Princeton area is renowned for its outstanding educational institutions of all types and at all different levels. One of the most unconventional and most popular is the one-day event known as Splash, which will take place on the Princeton University campus from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 22.

“Interested in mythology? linguistics? beatboxing? improv comedy? breakdancing? game theory?” says the Splash Facebook page. “Whatever you like, Splash has it! Learn anything from Princeton students completely free!”

Created by Princeton University students eager to share their knowledge and interests with area high schoolers, Splash this year is offering 115 classes taught by 133 Princeton University students, with more than 400 high school students already registered and many classes filling up fast. Visit princeton.learningu.org for registration and more information on course offerings and schedules.

“We strive to foster learning for students by students,” says the Princeton Splash Instagram page.

“I think it’s really expanding the definition of learning,” said Princeton University senior Anne Wen, who has been involved with Splash since she was a freshman, led the program in 2020-21, and has seen the program more than double in size. “It’s not learning just for the sake of finding a job, but learning to be curious human beings, and that’s the point of Splash.” more

Rutgers University Strike Continues, First Faculty Strike in School’s History

By Donald Gilpin

The first teaching strike in Rutgers University’s 257-year history continued into its second day on Tuesday, April 11 with hundreds of professors, adjunct faculty, graduate workers, and undergraduate students participating in demonstrations on all three of Rutgers’ campuses (New Brunswick, Newark, Camden) in support of faculty unions. 

Leaders of three unions representing about 9,000 Rutgers faculty members declared the strike on Sunday, saying negotiations for new contracts had stalled, particularly on issues of pay increases and on the rights of untenured adjunct faculty members and graduate workers. Contract talks have been going on since July 2022.

The strike is one of the largest faculty walkouts in U.S. higher education history, according to NJ.com, and is expected to disrupt classes for more than 67,000 students on the three campuses.

The three striking unions are the Rutgers AAUP-AFT, which represents full-time faculty, graduate workers, postdoctoral associates, and some counselors; the Rutgers Adjunct Faculty Union, which represents part-time lecturers; and the AAUP-BHSNJ, which represents faculty in the biomedical and health sciences at Rutgers’ medical, dental, nursing, and public health schools. more

For Retiring Recreation Employee Vikki Caines, Her Impetus Was Giving Back to the Community

A DYNAMO DEPARTS: Vikki Caines, center, is shown with four executive directors, past and present, of the Princeton Recreation Department, three of whom she has worked for. From left are Ben Stentz (2010-21), Don Barr (1964-90), current director Evan Moorhead, and Jack Roberts (1990-2010).

By Anne Levin

At Princeton’s Department of Recreation, Vikki Caines’ title is customer service manager/administrative coordinator. But that barely describes the accomplishments of this 25-year employee, who is retiring at the end of this month.

In addition to being the public face of Community Pool since the new pool opened in 2012, Caines hired, trained, and supervised its customer service staff, working seven days a week in the summer. She oversaw the community gardens on John Street and Smoyer Park, and turned un-landscaped areas around the municipal complex into colorful gardens — on her own time.

There are the concert series she coordinated each summer at Community Park North Amphitheater, the annual Community Night Out event at the pool, the platform tennis program, and the adult fitness program, not to mention the many administrative roles she undertook. more

Chmiel Supporters Plan April 16 Rally, Waiting to Hear Reasons for Dismissal

By Donald Gilpin

A group of concerned parents has planned a rally for Sunday, April 16 at 1 p.m. in Hinds Plaza next to the Princeton Public Library to protest the dismissal of Princeton High School Principal Frank Chmiel and to demand transparency from the School Board and superintendent.

“We are hoping to come together as a school community to remind the Board of Education and the superintendent that there has to be more transparency in the decision-making process, and some compassion as well,” said Vijayeta Sinh, one of the parent organizers.

“We are concerned parents,” she added. “The entire way in which this was handled, the way our complaints and grievances have not been heard and not been responded to, it makes one ask the question: ‘Who is the Board serving? Are they truly listening to their constituents and are they trying to make the process straightforward?’ We want the school district to be more transparent on this issue and other issues.” more

April 5, 2023

PHS Moves Forward, But Legal Fight Goes On

By Donald Gilpin

Following last week’s contentious Board of Education (BOE) meeting, which drew hundreds to the Princeton Middle School on the evening of March 28 and hundreds more on Zoom, with most supporting the reinstatement of Princeton High School (PHS) Principal Frank Chmiel, this week has been relatively quiet in the district.

Kathie Foster, voted in by the BOE unanimously as interim PHS principal at the meeting, stepped into her new position last Thursday, and students and teachers are on spring break until April 10, but the conflict continues in the media and through legal channels.

Lawyers for Chmiel are appealing the district’s decision for nonrenewal of Chmiel’s contract and his placement on administrative leave and are proceeding through the required steps in that appeal process. In an email Monday, David Schroth wrote that he and Ben Montenegro, lawyers who are representing Chmiel, had requested from the Princeton Public Schools (PPS) superintendent a statement of reasons for Chmiel’s nonrenewal.

“We have not received the statement,” Schroth said. “The deadline for doing so is on or about April 17.”  Schroth went on to say that as the next step he anticipates requesting a Donaldson hearing where he, Montenegro, and Chmiel respond to the superintendent’s statement and make the case for Chmiel’s renewal. The Board then would vote to renew or not renew. more