By RITA FERRANDINO
Staff Writer

The Cooperstown Central School board met before a packed house last Wednesday night and listened to public comments about middle school principal David Pearlman and his upcoming return to work.

A hearing officer recently decided that Pearlman will return to the district after two and a half years in limbo, beginning with medical leave for depression in April of 1999 that segued into a 3020-a disciplinary hearing. Pearlman was found guilty of two of three charges: conduct unbecoming a principal and insubordination, and was suspended without pay for three months.

The community is divided on the issue and Wednesday's meeting marked the first time the public banded together to address the board.

Sue Hascup, the first speaker, said that she has written to Mary Jo McPhail superintendent of schools in Cooperstown, the school board, state senators and congressman.

"Right or wrong," Hascup said, "Pearlman has lost respect and won't be an effective administrator. He has no hope of being an attribute or an asset."

Hascup said that had Pearlman been found guilty of insubordiantion and unbecoming conduct in any other field, it would have resulted in termination.

"You as a board must stand together to ensure the protection of our children."

James Atwell of Fly Creek congratulated the board and McPhail.

"There can be no question where you have to come down," Atwell said. "On the side of the students."

Bob Pierro said that he would advise his four kids to stay away from Pearlman and his "touchy feely approach to education."

"As a taxpayer," Pierro said, "I resent paying his salary."

Former student Shaundra Simmons read the district's mission statement and said what's been happening with Pearlman is a direct contradiction to the promise that children will be provided with a caring environment.

Beth Brodie said her daughter had the "incredible luxury" of having Pearlman as a middle school principal.

"Those were incomparable years for her," Brodie said.

Dr. Paul Tirrell, a tireless supporter of Pearlman, said, "The only thing that applies is the legal, binding decision. Not public opinion."

"There's nobody in this room that feels the pristine reputation of our school hasn't been sullied," said George Weir.

Rich Brown, who works part time at the school, said he has had dealings with McPhail and Pearlman over the years and respects them both.

"Some of the problems stemmed from private conversations between McPhail and Pearlman. Have a third party available to keep track. There's no question that somebody didn't understand what was said in that conversation," Brown said.

Teacher Mary Jo Merk suggested that people not be so quick to point a finger of blame until they know what's going on.

"Read the testimony and then make an informed decision," she said.

Tim Wiles said the school board has "allowed a climate of innuendo," even though Pearlman was not charged with sexual misconduct.

"They will apologize for that whether they want to or not," said Wiles.

"This hasn't been proven, that hasn't been proven," said John Phillips. "If nothing else, Pearlman is guilty of serious misjudgment. A solution must be found. The hard decisions are what make great leaders. I'm trusting your abilities."

Thomas Brennan, father of four girls who once lived in the district, but now resides in Milford, said the hearing officer's findings make is "absolutely clear that Pearlman didn't harm the girl. Some people mistook her friendship with him as something sordid. Some people desperately want to believe that a girlwas hurt in this school district."

Brennan said that Pearlman is only guilty of absolutely poor judgment and demanded an explanation of the charges from the board of education. When board president Kelly Branigan told him that she cannot discuss personnel matters under the law, he said, "That's a very telling answer, ma'am."

District teacher Dutchie Lewis said that the last couple of years have had one good side effect.

"There's a real collegiality among faculty and administrators that did not exist before. There's no real tension in the building anymore. We know when we go to the admininistrators, good judgment will be exercised."

Student Beau Carroll, a senior planning to attend West Point in the fall, commended the board for "maintaining a stable educational environment." He recalled his eighth grade graduation, at which Pearlman "ridiculed the class."

"He said we were the worst class to come through here," Carroll said. "He was wrong."

At the end of the meeting, after regular business had been discussed by the board, school board president Kelly Branigan responded to questions and misperceptions about the situation, such as that the board chose to pay Pearlman's salary during his "special assignment," while the hearings were taking place.

"The board was mandated by law to provide him his salary," Branigan said. She also said that the school board is permitted by law to structure district administratior's duties as they see fit, and district counsel is still in the process of determining the district's options.

While Pearlman must be brought back in an administrative capacity, the exact nature of his position has yet to be determined, Branigan said. The board is still awaiting the results of a psychiatric examination, as per Section 913 of the State Education Law, to determine Pearlman's fitness for duty.

Pearlman's three-month suspension will end just before the start of spring break.