EAST VILLAGE — Just a few weeks before summer break ends, the hunt is still on for a new principal at a popular East Village elementary school, according to the city's Department of Education.
Milo Novelo, who had led the Neighborhood School on East Third Street since 2009, left at the end of the last school year, sparking a search for a new leader for the elementary program, which is known for its hands-on learning, bridged classes with two grades in the same room and a high level of parent involvement.
"The selection process is currently underway so his position has not yet been filled," David Pena, a DOE spokesman, said in an email. "If no principal is appointed by the start of the school year, an Interim Acting Principal will be chosen to fill the position."
Novelo could not immediately be reached for comment. Pena said the former principal is "currently exploring other opportunities."
The Neighborhood School was popular under Novelo's leadership, with twice as many kindergarten applicants as seats picking the school as their first choice for the 2011-12 school year, officials said.
However, the school received a D grade from the city on its most recent progress report card in 2011-12, which takes into account student academic progress, performance and the school's environment. The school received a C in both the 2009-10 and 2010-11 school years.
