by Carolyn James

The contract between the Amityville School district and its Superintendent of Schools Dr. Rhoda Pierre expires September, 2002 but the school board announced at a meeting last week that it will not be renewing the agreement. That came as a shock to Pierre who said she wanted to focus her time on the many needs of the district and assure the public that "I am still here."

Pierre said she would review her options and make a public statement about the board’s decision at a later date. She was away late last week and unavailable for further comment.

Pierre was hired in September, 1999 but had served in that capacity when former Superintendent Dean Bettker became ill and later died. At the time, she had been with the district nine years and had also served as interim superintendent in the time between the resignation of Superintendent Ed Mavragis and the hiring of Bettker.

Ironically, one of the residents who spoke in support of her being named superintendent at that time, Patricia Cahaney who is now a member of the school board that has decided not to renew her contract.

"I think we are very encouraged and and to give her our support and hope things start to turn around," said Cahaney in an article that appeared in the Record September 29, 1999.

School Board President Stephanie Andrews said the board had a contractual obligation to advise Pierre of their intentions at least six months before it was to expire, or at March, 2002 the latest.

"We knew earlier that we were not going to seek a renewal on her contract so decided why not give her as much advance notice as possible," said Andrews who added that the board has not begun any discussions on how and when they will begin the search for Pierre’s replacement.

Trustee Sam Williams said the board’s announcement was "moot," because Pierre had told the members she was not seeking a renewal of her contract.

Andrews said that was news to her. "There was never any official notice as far as I know," said Andrews.

Pierre said she was concerned with the public’s impression following the announcement. "I don’t want anyone to think we are not here doing what has to be done and addressing the many needs of the students in the district," she said.