Principal accused of ousting white staff 'created school of insanity'

A Washington Heights principal accused of wanting to oust white staffers reportedly created a learning environment plagued by 'utter disorganization and insanity.'

Students attending New York City's High School for Law and Public Service claim their lives have become 'miserable' under the leadership of Principal Paula Lev.

They also allege their quality of education has declined after Lev ousted 'fully experienced and qualified' staff as part of her alleged diversity crusade.

A student-created petition claims a handful of Lev's new hires 'are super under-qualified' and that their 'lack of knowledge' has affected students' ability to learn.

The petition also cited fears of attending class due to a 'dangerous' environment fueled by an 'insane number of fights, constant arguing and improper administrative action.'

Lev was hit with a probe last year by the NYC Department of Education (DOE) after she allegedly told a teacher she was 'going to get rid of all these white teachers that aren't doing anything for the kids of our community.'

The complaint will now go before the New York State Division of Human Rights.

The probe was launched after faculty members at High School for Law and Public Service accused principal Paula Lev of discriminating against staff and conspiring to get a white colleague fired.

Faculty filed a complaint with the Education Department and also voted they had 'no confidence' in Lev's leadership.

The complaint alleged Lev 'flagrantly but unsuccessfully attempted to divide our school by race' and told an employee that she 'was going to get rid of all these white teachers that aren't doing anything for the kids of our community.'

In the last year, Lev has issued excess notices to four white staffers, insiders told The New York Post on Saturday. DailyMail.com has contacted the Division of Human Rights in attempt to confirm the allegation.

The DOE, however, contends that only two staffers had been excessed, alleging the decision was made by 'contractual rules regarding seniority.'

The department explained that the school had created a new position focused on 'conflict resolution.'

'The Department of Education is absolutely committed to providing a strong and supportive environment in all of our schools and for all of our students. We work with our principals every day to ensure that students and staff receive the support they need,' DOE spokesperson Jenna Lyle told The Post.

Insiders allege some of the excessed teachers have found new jobs so they weren't 'officially considered cut' from school staff.

Other former school employees reportedly left on their own, with three additional teachers deciding to call it quits this month.

'There are many more teachers who have voiced that they plan to leave and they feel demoralized,' an unnamed staffer told the paper.

Students have issued similar allegations in a Change.org petition started earlier this year by incoming senior and class valedictorian Angel Dilawar, 17.

'Many students at the High School for Law & Public Service would like to bring to your attention that we have had enough and cannot bear to witness the utter disorganization and insanity at our school, especially that we once proudly called home,' the petition states. 'While there have been tremendous efforts to be heard, the higher-ups have not taken any action.'

The petition alleges that students are not receiving the quality of education they're accustom and entitled to.

'It is unfortunate that we have some new teachers that are super under-qualified, and staff members that were fully experienced and qualified were excessed,' the document reads. 'It has been our experience that the lack of knowledge of a few new staff members has affected our learning.

'It is frightening to imagine more similar staff members being hired who require student assistance to accomplish simple tasks. What's even more scary is that those are some vital positions.'

Students further contend that Lev is more focused on appearances than learning.

The petition states that she has prioritized improving the school's appearance by purchasing new furniture, plants and TV screens for the hallways.

Dilawar also told The Post that Lev purchased $50,000 worth of hooded sweatshirts to be worn with school uniforms, but the teen claims no one wears them.

Scholars allege they would 'much rather prefer to receive new laptops and textbooks' or see school funding invested into 'hiring more teachers to teach AP classes, core subjects and electives.'

The students also allege the school looks proper 'communication and transparency.'

'From the outside it may appear that everything is going great, but in reality, none of the members of the school community are aware of what's going on. I compare it to a bad apple, gleaming and shining on the outside but once opened you see how rotten to the core it is,' the petition reads.

'Certain teachers are completely clueless and students can provide many examples that demonstrate there is no communication at all. There is always last-minute notice for students and they feel that they don't matter and are always silenced.

'We are deeply dismayed to see this unfold at a school that had been blossoming before this principal took over. Happiness, pleasure, and contentment have now become filled with tears of agony and sorrow. Many of 'our teachers and administrators' whom we truly valued, are now gone.'

The petition has already received more than 400 signatures.

Dilawar also told The Post that a lack of discipline has made the school a free-for-all environment.

'Right now students can do anything they want and they're not going to get in trouble,' she said.

Additionally, she alleged that she was asked to write college recommendation letters for her peers while working the school's college office.

Dilawar claimed the current office staffer had a 'limited grasp of English' and needed assistance with the letters.

'These students would be shocked to find out that their recommendation letters would be written... (Read more)

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