Parents Plan Rally Sunday In Support Of Princeton Principal

PRINCETON, NJ —Supporters of Princeton High School Principal Frank Chmiel will be hosting another rally on Sunday, demanding transparency from the Board of Education.

Chmiel was placed on administrative leave in March and since then students and parents have rallied to bring him back. Chmiel himself has begun a legal fight “to be renewed as the Principal.”

Sunday’s rally will take place at Hinds Plaza from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

“The board is dragging its feet with releasing the reasons for the dismissal of Mr. Chmiel despite being urged to at two prior board meetings - one capped at over one thousand attendees on Zoom and the other in-person meeting - where many students, parents and supporters discussed how alarmed and frustrated they were,” parent Vijayeta Sinh said.

“In response, we have heard nothing. We need answers and we need them to help us understand why they did what they did.”

In accordance with state law, the BOE has not released the personnel information of Chmiel. However, his lawyers have appealed the decision for non-renewal and requested a statement of reasons for Chmiel’s dismissal.

In a petition, community members have called for the dismissal of Superintendent Carol Kelley saying they were “frustrated” and “upset with the lack of transparency, accountability and respect from Superintendent Dr. Carol Kelley.”

“Trust has been lost between the Parents and the BOE members and I don't believe it's something that can be regained given the last two years of turmoil,” parent Michael Brown said.

“The Chmiel situation is just the last straw as we've seen how much damage has been done to our children through this pandemic and the overall direction and actions of PPS under the leadership of Carol Kelley has been atrocious.”

During the March 28 meeting, the BOE appointed Kathie Foster as the interim principal of Princeton High School despite protests from parents and students.

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