Stuyvesant HS Principal Stepping Down Amid Admissions Debate

TRIBECA, NY — The principal of Stuyvesant High School announced this week that he is departing the prestigious post — leaving the task of steering the elite public school through the debate over school integration to another principal.

Eric Contreras, who has led the specialized high school for two years, is leaving for a senior job at the city's Department of Education, but will remain at the school until a new principal is chosen, according to an Aug. 27 letter Contreras penned to the school.

“This decision has been a very difficult one,”wrote Contreras in the letter. “I love the students and community at Stuyvesant and am incredibly grateful for my experience at the school, and will continue to support the community into the future as parent and educator.”

The announcement comes a week before the start of the new school year and amidst a debate over how the school — and seven other sought-after high schools — should admit students. Mayor Bill de Blasio has lobbied to admit more black and Hispanic students and urged state lawmakers to scrap the entrance exam that is the sole criteria for deciding who gets into the coveted schools.

The move has sparked outcry from some parents, alumni and civil rights groups.

Contreras will serve as senior executive director of curriculum, instruction and professional development, where he will work to support "STEM, arts, literacy, social studies and civics for our New York City Schools," Contreras wrote.

He was born in Guatemala and was the school's first Hispanic principal. In his new post, Contreras is succeeding Anna Commitante, who is retiring from the position.

Photo courtesy of Peter Kramer/Getty Images