By KYLE WIND
Freeman staff
kwind@freemanonline.com; twitter.com/KyleatFreeman

KINGSTON, N.Y. — Sophie Finn Elementary School Principal Debra Fitzgerald’s position was eliminated by the Board of Education this week, but Superintendent Paul Padalino said she will go back to being a teacher this fall.

Eliminating an elementary school principal position was part of the plan to close Frank L. Meagher Elementary School, where Paula Perez was principal. Fitzgerald’s job was eliminated because she had the least seniority among elementary school principals without tenure.

Padalino said he hasn’t finalized principal assignments for the fall, including Sophie Finn’s. It also is not clear where in the district Fitzgerald will teach.

Appointed Finn’s principal in July 2011, Fitzgerald previously served as a special education teacher in the district for 13 years.

Gerri Fairley, president of Finn’s Parent-Teacher Organization, said Fitzgerald made a significant impact in her first year as principal, bringing a greater sense of discipline to the school while stepping up efforts to recognize students for good behavior.

She described Fitzgerald as having been a visible, caring administrator who attended all PTO meetings and events and even went to student Little League games on evenings and Saturdays.

Academically, Fitzgerald focused on correcting reading deficits, Fairley said, recalling the principal brought author Barbara Slate to the school for a popular three-week workshop on graphic novels during which students created comic books.

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