Valley Stream Central High School Principal Candace Hugee hires attorney as petition calls for her reinstatement
Valley Stream Central High School. Credit: Newsday / Drew Singh
A Valley Stream high school principal has retained a civil rights attorney after the district announced she would be replaced — a decision that has prompted calls for greater transparency from some parents and students.
Candace Hugee was hired in July 2023 to serve a three-year probationary term as principal of Valley Stream Central High School, according to school board documents. Her attorney, Frederick K. Brewington, told Newsday that Hugee was “blindsided” to learn last month that a new school leader would take over as principal in July.
Superintendent Wayne Loper told parents in a March 11 email that Bret Strauss, currently principal of Valley Stream Memorial Junior High School, would replace Hugee at the high school. Loper briefly referenced Hugee’s contributions, stating, “I would also like to thank Ms. Hugee for her service and leadership at Central High School and wish her continued success in her future endeavors."
Brewington said of his client, "She learned publicly. It was a publicly humiliating action taken intentionally to continue the level of disregard that they have."
WHAT NEWSDAY FOUND
- Valley Stream Central High School principal Candace Hugee has hired a civil rights attorney after learning she would be replaced in July.
- Hugee was hired in July 2023 to serve a three-year probationary term. Superintendents can grant tenure based on certain evaluations when an employee's probationary period ends.
- Hugee's attorney said he was "deeply concerned about the actions of the school district, in particular with regard to their actions against this African American woman."
Hugee has been worried about being granted tenure, Brewington said.
“My initial review of the matter leaves me deeply concerned about the actions of the school district, in particular with regard to their actions against this African American woman," said Brewington, adding he will consider their next steps after first contacting the district.
District officials declined to answer questions regarding their decision to replace Hugee, citing personnel policy.
According to state education law, the superintendent has the authority to grant tenure based on certain evaluations when the probationary period ends. Recommendations for tenure must be approved by the board of education.
Community criticism
Some school community members have criticized the news of Hugee's departure.
A student started an online petition to reinstate Hugee that has garnered more than 700 signatures. “The abrupt and seemingly unceremonious manner of her removal feels unjust and dismissive of everything she has accomplished,” the petition reads.
Strauss, who has been principal at the junior high school since 2016, has worked in the district for his entire career, according to Loper.
"We understand the concerns expressed by parents,” Loper said in a statement to Newsday. “Stable leadership is a top priority for the Valley Stream Central High School District."
About 100 people on Monday attended an “emergency education & civic engagement" meeting organized by school parents. Some attendees questioned hiring practices and retention rates for Black staff. Others raised concerns that the staff at Central High School does not reflect the racial makeup of the predominately Black, Hispanic and Asian student body.
State enrollment data shows that in the 2024-25 school year, 40% of students were Black, 27% Hispanic, 24% Asian, 7% white and 2% multiracial.
According to the New York State Education Department’s Personnel Master File for 2024-25, out of the school's 93 full-time staff, 75 employees are white, four are Black, 10 are Hispanic, two are Asian and two are multiracial.
Tracey Edwards, the state NAACP’s first vice president, attended the meeting. She told Newsday in a statement that the organization was contacted “by community members raising concerns about the treatment of Principal Hugee and alleged human resource patterns within the Valley Stream School District that may be used to avoid granting tenure to qualified administrators of color.”
She added that the NAACP’s Lakeview branch will continue to press for “fairness and transparency.”
District officials did not comment on the concerns raised by community members.
Martin Charles, whose 15-year-old son is a sophomore at Valley Stream Central High School, helped stage the event. Charles noted what he considers overall improvements in the school, including student performance and building upgrades, since Hugee took over.
The school's graduation rate rose from 97% in August 2023 for students who graduated in four years to 99% as of August 2025, according to the state Education Department.
For 2024, the high school also earned a special distinction of platinum status for Advanced Placement achievement.
“She has been a positive influence on our kids and the community as a whole,” Charles said of Hugee.
Lorena Mongelli has been reporting for Newsday since 2021. Prior to that, she covered breaking news at the New York Post.
