By Philip Sean Curran, Staff Writer
A beloved Princeton High School math teacher and cross country and track coach should be allowed to return next year, students urged the Board of Education on Tuesday in an ultimately futile attempt to save his job.
A large contingent of students gathered at the board meeting in a show of support for second-year teacher William Hackmeister, who will not be returning in September. The board later that night approved a “mutual separation” with him, although students said they were upset to see him go.
Several of them spoke, some in emotional terms, of what he had meant to them in the short time he had been at the school. They described him as a friend and role model.
“It is clear that a mistake has been made,” student Katie Griffin told the board, “when the jaws of 20 classmates drop when they hear the news that their teacher, who himself is struggling to hold back his own tears, has been asked not to return the following year.”
“All I got to say is that I want him back,” said fellow student Nick Delaney.
Noah Chen, a senior at the high school, said Mr. Hackmeister was his coach for two years, someone who is seen as a mentor to students and athletes.
“He’s a man that I deeply respect and greatly look up to,” Mr. Chen told board members. “He really cares about everyone. And it’s a shame what’s going to be happening to him next year.”
Fellow high school teacher Jim Smirk said at the meeting that Mr. Hackmeister has “immense character.”
Student Andrew Goldsmith credited Mr. Hackmeister with turning math into his favorite subject. He said he looks forward to going to his class every day.
“He’s not only a teacher to me but a great mentor,” he said with his voice filling with emotion.
Mr. Hackmeister was one of seven faculty members to reach “mutual separations” with the district. Their employment will end June 30.
