Franklin Avenue Elementary Principal Silberstein to Retire

More than one long-time administrator in the Pearl River School District announced their retirement at Tuesday's Board of Education meeting.

Franklin Avenue Elementary School Principal Carla Silberstein is retiring Aug. 27 after 10 years at the school.

"I’ve been in education for 32 and a half years and I’ve been in Pearl River for 10 years, very wonderful 10 years, and I decided it was time to go on a high note," said Silberstein, who is 58. "It has been wonderful. The school has been very successful. The parents, students and staff have been very supportive. I thought it was time to enjoy my life and my family."

"I can say that every once in a while you see someone who makes a hard job look easy and that is never luck. It takes a lot of skill," said Pearl River Superintendent of Schools Dr. Frank Auriemma, who announced his own retirement Tuesday night.  "That is Carla. Always a pleasure to work with. Bright. Articulate. Always has the kids focused and makes it look easy. And those who have been principles know well it isn’t."

The board also accepted the resignations with the intent to retire of three teachers who are taking the early-retirement incentive that was approved last month -- high school technology teacher Carl Harden and Lincoln Avenue Elementary School first-grade teachers Laura Sichel and Helene Smith. Harden is in his 36th year teaching in the district. Sichel has been teaching in Pearl River for 24 years and Smith has been there for 16 years.