Haworth — In a quiet end to a volatile month, the Haworth Board of Education decided not to rehire Principal Norberto Diaz.

The Haworth Board of Education made the June 3 decision after they heard testimony from Diaz, his attorney and parents during a closed hearing. The near two-hour long hearing was Diaz’s opportunity to overturn the superintendent’s statement of reasons against his re-hire.

"We’re very disappointed," said Diaz’s attorney Glen Savits. "The board can act or not act. After the Donaldson Hearing, they decided not to take action."

An offer of reemployment requires four favorable votes from school board members to pass a resolution.

A Juilliard graduate and former Kearny principal, Diaz has served the Haworth district since 2007.

The non-renewal in the principal’s contract set off a whirlwind of criticism and complaints from those who supported Diaz’s return and those who vehemently opposed it.

Superintendent David Eichenholtz, who issued the non-renewal recommendation, resigned for undisclosed reasons shortly thereafter.

A vote of no confidence from more than 95 percent of the Haworth Teachers’ Association only deepened the divide, as noted from the public sessions at the crowded school board meetings.

Prior to the letter of no confidence, Diaz’s attorney said that the teachers had filed no formal grievances against Diaz. The letter, he said, made reference to a history of behavioral complaints from teachers.

The attorney said that he could not comment further since Diaz did not waive his privacy rights. It is also uncertain whether Diaz will resort to further legal action, Savits added.

School board member George Kipel said that he too could not comment on the matter. Except, he said that the Haworth Board of Education is "now in the process of looking forward."

The plan is to fill the position of interim superintendent so that the superintendent may help in the hiring of a new principal, said Kipel. A round of superintendent candidate interviews has already begun, the board member said.

"It’s got to be a team approach," said Kipel. "It’ll help [us] work on the transition phase."