The principal of a Queens high school has been reassigned in the wake of a student riot against a Jewish teacher who had attended a pro-Israel rally, The Post has learned.
In a letter to staff and families, Hillcrest High School principal Scott Milczewski said he is leaving the Jamaica school for a new job in the city Department of Education bureaucracy.
“It is with mixed emotions that I inform you that I have been offered, and accepted, the position of Director of Teacher Development and Evaluation within the Division of Teaching and Learning,” he wrote.
The New York City Department of Education did not immediately comment on Milczewski’s reassignment.
Milczewski’s exit from the school comes in the wake of a riot where hundreds of kids rampaged through the halls of the high school last month, forcing the pro-Israeli teacher to hide in a locked office as the mob searched for her.
A Queens councilman called the students “intolerant and radicalized,” but teens said most classmates joined in the protest just for the fun of it. Four students who organized the riot were suspended.
The chaos ensued after the teacher’s Facebook profile photo showed her at a rally in Queens on Oct. 9 holding a poster saying, “I stand with Israel,” following the slaughter of 1,200 in the Jewish State by Hamas.
It took about 25 NYPD cops to put an end to the incident and place the school on lockdown, with Milczewski garnering criticism for failing to tackle the tensions being built up in the school over the Israel-Hamas war.
One teacher told The Post that Milczewski’s ouster was a positive outcome for the school.
“Hillcrest needed change. Hopefully, the new principal will address the needs of the faculty and students and bring us together as a community,” the teacher said.
Along with November’s riot, Milczewski’s tenure has been marred by controversy, with the former principal accused of dragging his feet to address an incident where swastikas were scrawled on student lockers back in February.
Earlier this month, Hillcrest had seen more swastikas pop up, along with graffiti saying “F–k Palestine,” which were quickly removed.
While Milczewski joined the school in 2019 after his predecessor, David Morrison, was ousted over allegations of misconduct. Milczewski will be leaving the high school after criticism from staff.
A no-confidence survey from the Hillcrest faculty reported that 87% of employees believed Milczewski has “created a toxic environment,” and put his ambitions over the needs of students and staff.
Despite the disapproval, Milczewski touted his work during his brief four years at the school and wished all the best to his students and coworkers.
“I am very grateful for the opportunity to have worked alongside you in support of our students and will remember and cherish my time as part of the Hillcrest family,” Milczewski wrote.
NYC HS principal reassigned weeks after ‘radicalized’ students rioted over Jewish teacher attending pro-Israel rally - New York Post
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