ELLENVILLE – Ellenville Elementary School Principal Holly Eikszta has temporarily stepped down from her position. The district has since replaced Eikszta with an interim principal, Barbara Semmonite, who at one time was principal of Emma C. Chase Elementary School in Wurtsboro. Ellenville Central School District Superintendent Lisa Wiles would only confirm that Eikszta remains the current principal, and that Semmonite is at the school on an interim basis.

"The principal of the elementary school is Holly Eikszta, and we have an interim principal in there right now, her name is Barbara Semmonite," Wiles said.

Wiles said that, in compliance with privacy laws, it was the district's policy not to comment on matters directly related to personnel.

"I cannot comment on personnel matters," Wiles said.

When the Journal pressed Wiles for more information — whether Eikszta is still on the payroll, when the switch occurred — Wiles said that she would need to check with the district's lawyers.

"Let me check with the attorneys and I'll call you back," she said. "I want to double-check it because I don't want to violate anybody's rights here."

During the return phone call, Wiles would only reiterate her previous statement regarding the district's policy on discussing matters related to personnel.

Given that speculation regarding Eikszta's departure is currently running rampant, the Journal decided to ask these same questions of the Ellenville Central School District during the regular board meeting this past Tuesday. The paper was told that these questions were all a matter of personnel and that the district could not answer them. The Journal was encouraged, however, to submit the questions, in writing, to Wiles. The paper has done so and has thus far not received a response.

When reached by telephone, Eikszta also said that she would not comment on the matter, other than to say that she plans on returning to her duties at some point in the future.