By Cate Casparius ’19

For about two years now, Long Lots Elementary school in Westport, Connecticut has been run by head principal, Jeffrey M. Golubchick.  However, on April 26, a third email in the last three months was sent out to Long Lots parents regarding Principal Golubchick’s position at the school. It stated his official resignation, effective June 30.

In his three-year tenure with the Westport school district, Golubchick, 36, most recently held the position of principal of Long Lots Elementary (starting on July 1, 2015), and previously held a position as an assistant principal at Saugatuck Elementary School.

In the third email sent out by Superintendent Dr. Colleen Palmer on April 26, she mentioned that he will be looking for work elsewhere, either in New York or in California where his wife grew up.

The first email regarding Golubchick and his position, was sent out to parents on February 10. This email was also written by Palmer, and stated that Golubchick was placed on paid administrative leave, “without prejudice.”

This announcement in the first email initially surprised a few Long Lots parents that have children currently attending the elementary school.

While the first email did not contain any specific reasons for why Golubchick would be leaving, it announced a plan to have an interim principal step in during his absence. With the lack of information, imaginations started to run wild with ideas as to why he was on leave.

One specific parent in the Long Lots community who wished to remain anonymous commented on her confusion. “Nobody talks really.  You hear rumors, [but] I don’t know what’s true or not. I heard a couple of things but nobody is a reliable source. I didn’t hear anything confirmed from anyone in like the PTA who would probably have more knowledge than most,” the anonymous parent said.

Then, on February 11, parents received a second email outlining how Golubchick’s attorney allegedly sent letters to a select group of teachers and, according to Palmer’s second email,  “subordinate administrators asserting legal claims against them, including personal liability, which some recipients found upsetting.” Palmer then explained that the reason for the paid administrative leave was so the district could “properly review the impact of these letters on the operation of the school.”

Michael Cicchetti stepped in as the interim principal on February 13.  Almost two months after the first set of emails were released, on April 26, Long Lots parents received a third email breaking the news of Golubchick’s official resignation, effective June 30, 2017, and included a public statement from the Westport School District.

       The administration and staff at Long Lots Elementary declined to comment, however a former Long Lots student, Summer Hutchinson ’19, mentioned she was surprised to hear of there being three different principals at Long Lots since she graduated fifth grade.

        “I think that’s a bit unfair to the students because a principal is supposed to be someone who you are able to get know throughout your years at the school,”  Hutchinson said. “They are supposed to be a consistent part of one’s school experience. I don’t think this expectation was met.”.