Hearing for School 5 Principal is Next Week

The ousted principal of School 5 will appeal the Board of Education’s decision not to reinstate him at a public hearing next week.

Gabriel Nazziola will appear before the board next Wednesday, July 13, at 5:30 pm at the library of Belleville High School, 100 Passaic Ave.  

For months, several School 5 parents have protested the board’s decision not to reinstate Nazziola, who had served as principal only since the start of the last school year. Parents have praised Nazziola’s leadership but have also expressed concern about the turnover at the School 5 principal position. In the last few years, there have been a succession of principals at the school, each one holding the job for just a year.

The board, following a recommendation by the Superintendent of Schools, Joseph Picardo, opted not to reinstate Nazziola, who served as a teacher for decades before becoming a principal. He was honored by the board a few months ago, along with several other district teachers, for his work in the classroom.

Citing personnel confidentiality rules, the board has repeatedly declined to say why Nazziola was not reinstated. Nazziola has also declined to discuss his removal from the post, citing rules barring district staff from speaking with the press without district permission. During next week’s hearing, however, Nazziola will be free to speak more candidly about the matter.

As with many types of hearings involving civil servants, Nazziola had the option of keeping his private or opening it up to the public. Nazziola told Patch a few months ago that he would likely hold his hearing publicly.

Nazziola “will have the opportunity to appeal the board’s decision” at the hearing, said board president Peter Zangari. As at other hearings, the employee may be represented by counsel or a union representative, Zangari added.