Forest Hills High School at 67-01 110th Street
(Photo: InsideSchools)
June 4, 2019 By Laura Hanrahan
Forest Hills High School Principal Ben Sherman resigned on Monday after facing months of complaints and criticism from school staff and parents.
Sherman announced his resignation yesterday in an email to school staffers, just days before a planned protest at the school to demand his removal was set to take place, the New York Post reported.
Sherman, who started at the school in 2017, came under fire in recent months for reportedly allowing the school to slide downhill, due largely in part to failing to punish students for smoking marijuana. Teachers reported being bombarded with the smell of pot in the hallways and classrooms.
During his time at the school, Sherman implemented an open bathroom policy, which left the bathrooms unlocked for student use at all times. He also removed aides who signed students in and out of the bathrooms. Students reportedly began using the restrooms to smoke, vape, cut class and vandalize school property.
Sherman also removed aides from the locker rooms at the school, causing the number of thefts to skyrocket, one teacher reported. He also reportedly made several inappropriate comments to both staff and students.
On Feb. 14, the staff hit Sherman with a vote of no confidence, 195 to 21.
Following his resignation announcement, Sherman moved into a new role with the Department of Education on Monday, where he will work in the office of the First Deputy Chancellor.
“We thank Principal Sherman for his leadership at Forest Hills High School and look forward to his continued contributions to the DOE,” said a spokesperson for the DOE. “We’ll work closely with the community on the principal search process to ensure Forest Hills has the right long-term leader in place.”
Sean Davenport will remain as the Supervising Superintendent at Forest Hills High school and will continue to oversee day-to-day operations through the end of the school year. A new acting principal is expected to be in place by the end of the week.
