STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — A Staten Island school principal was removed from the job last week, less than one month after taking the helm at PS 3, the Margaret Gioiosa School, in Pleasant Plains, the Advance/SILive.com has learned.
Joseph O’Brien, was officially welcomed to the school community in a Sept. 8 letter from Superintendent Roderick Palton. O’Brien replaced Elmer Myers, who retired after 10 years at the school.
But according to concerned parents who reached out to the Advance/SILive.com, O’Brien was relieved of his duties last week.
An official with knowledge of the situation confirmed the removal, noting O’Brien is currently no longer in a leadership position at the school.
The city Department of Education did not provide a reason for O’Brien’s removal, nor did it state whether the move was permanent. The DOE referred to O’Brien’s removal as a “transition.”
“The superintendent and district team are on site at PS 3, providing support and ensuring consistent leadership,” the DOE noted in a statement to the Advance/SILive.com on Thursday.
“At no time was student safety at risk, and the school community will continue to be fully supported during this transition.”
According to Palton’s letter to the school community last month, O’Brien has “more than two decades of dedicated service to New York City Public Schools,” and was deputy superintendent in Brooklyn’s District 21 just before taking the reins at PS 3.