Abington Superintendent Addresses Principal’s Resignation

Abington Superintendent Amy Sichel wasted no time in addressing what she called “baseless speculation” surrounding the December resignation of Abington Junior High School Principal Lorraine Trollinger.

Kicking of Tuesday night's school board meeting, Sichel said that Trollinger resigned on her own and did “nothing illegal whatsoever.”

On Dec. 22, Sichel sent a letter home to parents of junior high school students announcing Trollinger’s resignation; the letter went on to say that Mark Pellico, the school’s supervisor of pupil services, would be taking the controls.

See the initial story here.

“I’d like to share so we make sure that the record is set straight — that Dr. Lorraine Trollinger voluntarily resigned the position of junior high school principal,” Sichel said. “Please understand that people elect to leave jobs all the time, and Dr. Trollinger did just that …

“Personnel matters are highly confidential,” Sichel said. “Her resignation is truly her business. We need to, and we intend to respect Dr. Trollinger’s decision — to respect her privacy."

A Huntingdon Valley resident asked the school board for more of an explanation as to why Trollinger resigned — and got frustrated when the board would not provide any more details.

“Thanks for nothing,” he muttered as he sat down.

Abington School District spokesman Byron Goldstein said last week that Sichel met with parents on Jan. 4 during a parent council meeting to address what he called “a lot of vicious rumors circulating.” Many of the rumors involved theft from the district.

“Contrary to the baseless speculation that has occurred over the last few weeks, [Trollinger] did nothing illegal whatsoever,” Sichel said yesterday. “There was absolutely no issue, ever, on the health, safety and welfare of any Abington student or staff member.

"These speculations are a great disservice to Dr. Trollinger’s years of service as an instrumental leader in the Abington School District …”

Sichel then then introduced Pellico.

See the video.

Sichel said Pellico is going to figure out if the job is a “good fit for him;” she said she and the school board will do the same.