Chesapeake Science Point Principal Fatih Kandil said his reassignment has been difficult for him and the school, but he is getting by with support from parents and teachers.
“We had so many plans and activities after the winter break,” Kandil said.
“And this is just a roadblock to making the school more successful.”
The charter school is competitive and has prided itself on impressive student achievement. For example, all 29 seventh- and eighth-graders in the algebra program passed last school year?s Maryland High School Assessment.
Kandil was reassigned last week pending an investigation from the Anne Arundel Department of Social Services.
He said he was not permitted to speak about the investigation, nor could he speak to the rumors about making students do push-ups for not following certain school policies.
He also said he didn?t know how long he would be away from the school.
Since his reassignment, Kandil said he was touched by parents and others who wore a blue ribbon at a school meeting last week to support him and has received three or four student applications for the Hanover charter school each day. “I?m in complete support of Mr. Kandil, but I don?t know the circumstances of his temporary removal,” said Nancy Kolodiej, parent of two eighth-graders, member of the executive Parent-Teacher Organization and eighth-grade class representative at the academy.
“I feel he?s a very fair, good principal and a very fair person. Safety is his No. 1 priority at the school.”
Kandil?s replacement, Judith Henry, a former dean of students and academics at the school last year, was a good choice, Kandil said.
“She?s a wonderful person,” he added. “And her accepting this position in difficult times was a great favor to the [Chesapeake Science Point] board and the school.”
Kandil confirmed that physics teacher Ali Tuna also had been reassigned pending an investigation.
Tim Mennuti, president of the Teachers Association of Anne Arundel County, could not be reached for comment.
