Connetquot Community Rallies For Return Of 'Amazing' Principal

OAKDALE, NY — Dozens of parents, students, and community members rallied outside Oakdale-Bohemia Middle School on Tuesday evening, to advocate for the return of a Connetquot High School principal.

Michael Moran, former principal of Connetquot High School, emailed the district community on March 10, stating he would take a leave of absence and not return.

"I will be taking a leave of absence for the remainder of the school year and will not be back as high school principal for the 2023/2024 school year," he said. "This was, but no longer is, my home. It's been a fun ride."

While Moran did not state why, several parents told Patch they believe it is because he advocated to hang the Progress Pride flag, after the board banned it from being hung in classrooms in October.

During mid-winter recess, police also received two reports of anti-LGBTQ writing inside Connetquot High School.

Superintendent Lynda Adams stated at the beginning of the meeting that the board could not speak on personnel, but that Moran's leave was unrelated to the school's recent events.

"I can unequivocally state that there's absolutely no connection to Mr. Moran's stance on LGBTQ+ students, and any personnel changes that may be considered," she said.

Board president Jaclyn Napolitano-Furno also stated that on March 10, the board learned of Moran's leave, about the same time as the community.

She also addressed a rumor that the board had taken a vote to fire Moran.

"This is false. No vote was taken," she said, asking the audience to review the last board meeting for clarification. "The Board of Education took no action regarding this particular employee. In a time when we should be coming together as communities to support our students, we have allowed social media to further divide us all."

Natalie, a parent who preferred to not use her last name, said that Moran was an advocate for the students during those instances.

"As parents, we are concerned about sending our kids to school," she said. "Mr. Moran was, you know, one that helped the situation, not hurt it. I'm sorry. We just really want the truth around why he suddenly took the leave. It makes no sense."

At the board meeting, multiple parents and students gave countless anecdotes of how Moran was one of "the good ones" who would do anything for their students.

One student stated how Moran was there for him when his father was diagnosed with cancer. Another community member stated how Moran would often rush from school performances to soccer games, in order to support each student group.

In 2020, Moran drove to every graduating senior's home to deliver a cap and gown, one parent said.

For all of these reasons, it doesn't make sense why Moran would leave so abruptly, and not at least wait until the school year is over, speakers said.

"He was truly an amazing principal," said one student. "I would like to say that this has probably been the most chaotic school year of my entire life. It wasn't COVID, it wasn't the principal, it wasn't Kathy Hochul, it wasn't our hardworking teachers, you always blame for everything. It's because of you (the board)."

Students then took to the hallways on March 10, sitting out by the lockers instead of attending class, in protest of the board's actions.

A video obtained by Patch showed students shouting "Bring him back!" while holding a sign that reads "Bring back Moran."

Brooklyn, a 10th grader at Connetquot High School, told Patch that she felt confused when she made that discovery.

"Throughout the day, we were just receiving more information, and I think that the school didn't really do a great job of like telling us why, they didn't really go into specifics about it," she said. "I feel like that was unfair for the students because we attend the school. I feel like we have the right to know about what's going on with our principal."

In an email obtained by Patch, the interim principal Louise Burger wrote to high school students on the evening of March 10.

"As I know that today was extremely difficult for you, as it was for me and the members of our high school staff, I wanted to reach out this evening," said Burger. "When the news that Mr. Moran would be taking a leave of absence was shared earlier today, I heard your feelings of being upset and shocked – which were completely understandable."

She continued to say that knowing Moran as an alumna of Connetquot, she knew that "the connection he had with the students was strong and that his heart is with the students and the staff here at CHS."

Liz Smith, a ninth-grader at Connetquot High School, said that as a member of the LGBTQ community, the instances surrounding the Progress Pride flag and the anti-LGBTQ vandalism her feel "more and more uncomfortable walking into school every day," and being able to express herself.

When she saw the Pride flag, she "automatically felt safe" and welcomed.

"I just hope that the board realizes that what they're doing isn't helping our students, and it's hurting our students," she said. "As much as they tried to say that the school is a safe atmosphere for everybody to be in, it's not."