Community criticism<\/p>\n
Some school community members have criticized the news of Hugee’s departure.<\/p>\n
A\u00a0student started an online petition<\/a> to reinstate Hugee\u00a0that has garnered\u00a0more than 700 signatures. \u201cThe abrupt and seemingly unceremonious manner of her removal feels unjust and dismissive of everything she has accomplished,\u201d the petition reads.<\/p>\n Strauss, who has been principal at the junior high school since 2016, has worked in the district for his entire career, according to Loper.<\/p>\n “We understand the concerns expressed by parents,\u201d Loper said in a statement to Newsday. He added, \u201cStable leadership is a top priority for the Valley Stream Central High School District.”<\/p>\n About 100 people on Monday attended an \u201cemergency education & civic\u00a0engagement” meeting organized by school parents. Some attendees\u00a0questioned\u00a0hiring practices and retention rates for\u00a0Black\u00a0staff. Others raised concerns that the staff at Central High School does not reflect the racial makeup of\u00a0the predominately Black, Hispanic and Asian student body.<\/a><\/p>\n State enrollment data shows that in the 2024-25 school year, 40% of students were Black, 27% Hispanic, 24% Asian, 7% white and\u00a02% multiracial.<\/p>\n According to the New York State Education Department\u2019s Personnel Master File for 2024-25, out of the school’s 93 full-time staff, 75 employees are white, 4 are Black, 10 are Hispanic, 2 are Asian and 2 are multiracial.<\/p>\n Tracey Edwards, the state NAACP\u2019s first vice president, attended the meeting. She told Newsday in a statement\u00a0that the organization was contacted \u201cby community members raising concerns about the treatment of Principal Hugee and alleged human resource patterns within\u00a0the Valley Stream School District that may be used to avoid granting tenure to qualified administrators of color.\u201d<\/p>\n She added that the NAACP\u2019s Lakeview branch will continue to press for \u201cfairness and transparency.\u201d<\/p>\n District officials did not comment on the concerns raised by community members.<\/p>\n Martin Charles, whose 15-year-old son is a sophomore at Valley Stream Central High School, helped stage the event. Charles noted what he considers overall improvements in the school, including student performance and\u00a0building upgrades, since Hugee took over.<\/p>\n The school’s graduation rate rose from\u00a097% in August 2023 for students who graduated in four years to 99%\u00a0as of August 2025, according to the state education department.<\/p>\n
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