A Third Principal in as Many Years

Maria Dorr has been named acting principal of the Amagansett School after previously serving as its director of pupil services.

Christine Sampson

Maria Dorr named acting head of school with less than a month until classes

Aug. 13, 2015

Christine Sampson

Heading into the 2015-16 school year, the Amagansett School will have a new principal for the third year in a row. In a letter to parents on July 28, Eleanor Tritt, the district superintendent, announced that Brigit DiPrimo is leaving Amagansett following an appointment in a district in western Suffolk.

Maria Dorr, who has been the Amagansett School’s director of pupil services, was named acting principal at a school board meeting on Tuesday.

Before Ms. DiPrimo was hired last year, Robert Brisbane had been principal from May 2013 to June 2014. The Star reported at that time that he was leaving the district because traveling from his UpIsland home had become an issue. He subsequently accepted a position in the Roosevelt School District. In her letter, Mrs. Tritt said Ms. DiPromo was leaving for a similar reason.

Also at Tuesday’s meeting Tom Lamorgese was appointed as what Mrs. Tritt described as an “independent evaluator.” He will “assist with a variety of administrative responsibilities” that had previously been Ms. Dorr’s, and also will oversee the new teacher evaluation system mandated by the state.

Mr. Lamorgese, a retired principal who last worked in the East Hampton School District, helped in Amagansett during Ms. DiPrimo’s transition to the district. Mrs. Tritt said Tuesday that in addition to bringing in Mr. Lamorgese once again, she would personally absorb some of the duties of the director of pupil services. Kaitlin Roessle-Meerman, the school psychologist, is to take on some responsibilities pertaining to special education and other support services.

“We’re going to be divvying up responsibilities between other people, picking up bits and pieces, and seeing how we function that way. We have great teamwork in this district. Everyone pitches in to get everything done,” Mrs. Tritt said, adding that the district would take a wait-and-see approach rather than immediately hire a replacement for Mrs. Dorr.

“I appreciate your understanding and assure you that your children will continue to receive the attention, support, and care we all expect,” Mrs. Tritt said in her letter.

On Tuesday, the board also approved a part-time library media specialist following a search that took about a year. The district also accepted the resignation of a Spanish teacher. Mrs. Tritt indicated that one of the district’s new substitute teachers may eventually be eligible for the position.

Before the meeting ended, Ashley Blackburn, co-president of the Amagansett Teachers Association, took issue with recent physical changes in the building that were made without consulting the teaching staff.

“If there are any future plans like the art room being reconstructed or . . . the computer lab being reconstructed, we ask that a committee is formed to determine long-range plans that will benefit all students and staff,” she said.

This article has been updated. The original version in print and online said that the Spanish teacher had resigned because her hours had been cut. That was not the case.