NEW ROCHELLE, NY (September 6, 2026) — Ward Elementary School Principal Franco Miele has been placed on administrative leave, while the City School District of New Rochelle has named Assistant Principal Keren-Hapuc Gonzalez acting principal with authority to run the school. The district has not provided a reason for Miele’s leave.
The district initially told Talk of the Sound on Sept. 3 that Miele remained the Ward Elementary School principal.
The district later announced that Gonzalez was temporarily assuming leadership of the school, “assuming all duties and authority to lead our school community forward.” The district said Gonzalez has spent the past two years serving Ward students as assistant principal and is “uniquely equipped to guide our Ward family into a successful year.”
The Board of Education approved Jenna Vaccarelli’s appointment as Ward Elementary School assistant principal at its Aug. 18 meeting.
According to the board resolution, Vaccarelli’s probationary appointment took effect Sept. 1 and runs through Aug. 31, 2030. Her salary is $135,298. She replaced Jessica Bandel, who resigned.
Vaccarelli previously served as interim assistant principal at Ward during the 2023-24 school year.
“I am beyond excited to be returning to Ward as Assistant Principal with all of the wonderful people who have made me feel at home,” Vaccarelli wrote in a social media post.
The district also said it is finalizing the appointment of an additional acting assistant principal and will make an announcement regarding that position.
At the Aug. 18 Board of Education meeting, the board went into executive session with district counsel to discuss “the employment history of particular persons” that could lead to employment action. The agenda did not identify the individuals discussed.
This article was prepared with the assistance of AI tools under the direction and editing of Robert Cox.
Have information about this story? Email robertcox@talkofthesound (preferred) or contact via WhatsApp: +353 089 972 0669.