BOE Recall On The Table For Princeton Parents Group Amid Growing Frustration

PRINCETON, NJ — Princeton Schools Advocates, a parent-led advocacy group, is preparing for potential next steps in case ousted principal Frank Chmiel is not reinstated by the Board of Education.

In an email sent out to district parents, the group said it was considering the option of recalling the Board of Education and to this end, have planned a meeting with co-founders of the SF Guardians, who successfully recalled members of the San Francisco school board in 2022.

The Princeton parents group has organized a Zoom meeting with the parents from San Francisco on Thursday from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m.

“We are inspired by parent leaders who recalled the San Francisco BOE,” members of the organizing committee told Patch.

"We scheduled this 'lessons learned' meeting with them strategically during the Donaldson hearing week, hoping for Chmiel’s reinstatement. If not, it confirms the BOE’s disconnection, motivating us to prepare for a recall."

The meeting will be open to anyone who is interested in learning more about the process and how it could be applied in Princeton, if necessary.

Since Chmiel’s ouster, parents and students have expressed their frustration over the “lack of transparency” from the BOE.

According to them, Chmiel’s dismissal is just part of other issues facing students and the district.

Since Chmiel received a notice of contract nonrenewal, parents and students have held rallies and attended meetings to convince the BOE to overturn Superintendent Carol Kelley’s recommendation.

During the much-awaited public hearing scheduled on Monday evening, Chmiel and his lawyers are expected to present their side of the story. The ousted principal is seeking reinstatement and has the support of students and parents.

After the Donaldson hearing, if the Board does override the Superintendent’s recommendation, the motion to offer a contract to the employee must pass by a recorded roll call majority vote.

However, the Board is not obligated to take a vote after the Donaldson hearing. If the board does not vote, then the recommendation not to renew will stand, according to the NJSBA.

San Francisco Board of Education Recall

In February 2022, voters in San Francisco successfully recalled three members of the school board— Alison Collins, Gabriela Lopez and Faauuga Moliga.

Parents were angry after the district spent more time debating a plan rename 44 schools instead of focusing to reopen them.

Have a correction or news tip? Email sarah.salvadore@patch.com