Karnilow Addresses 'Vindictive People'

Dr. Sheldon Karnilow, superintendent of the Half Hollow Hills school district, addressed residents in attendance at the board of education meeting Monday night at Vanderbilt Elementary School about his impending retirement.

Since announcing his retirement, Karnilow has been the subject of discussion among some community members who questioned his motiviation in deciding to leave the school district later this year.

"After I at the last BOE meeting, a few vindictive people tried to rile up the community," he said. 

Addressing a few of their comments without naming names, Karnilow said, "My contract does not end in June 2011. It ends in June 2014. My retirement date is September 1, 2011. And that was my choice. I gave six months notice to give the board ample time to find my successor. The former superintendent was not there when I was making my transition and I want to be here."

He added, "I am not participating in the retirement incentive. My decision to retire was not based on the article about the governor's proposed salary cap. It wouldn't affect me anyway. My salary is in place until 2014."

He concluded by saying, "I wanted to set the record straight."