Principal arrested for DWI
David Zimbler had just ended first year on job
5 comments below
He was arrested by Suffolk County Police June 13 at about 8:20 p.m. while heading west on the Long Island Expressway's north service road at Exit 53 and Wicks Road in Brentwood, according to police.
An officer observed the damaged 2007 Saturn he was driving swerving on the highway and failing to stay within the marked lanes, according to the police report of the incident. When an officer interviewed Mr. Zimbler, his eyes were bloodshot, his speech was slurred and his breath smelled of alcohol, the police report said, adding that he had difficulty keeping his balance and failed a field sobriety test.
Mr. Zimbler also submitted to a breath test at Second Precinct in Huntington at about 9:35 p.m., and his blood alcohol content registered at .13 percent, according to police. Under New York State law, anything over .08 percent is considered driving while intoxicated. As is customary on DWI arrests, Mr. Zimbler was charged under two statutes, one relating to the officer's observation and one to the breath test.
Mr. Zimbler pleaded not guilty and was released on his own recognizance from Suffolk Criminal Court on June 14. He is due back in court on Aug. 14.
"I would like nothing more than to erase this evening from existence, but I cannot," Mr. Zimbler said in a letter to the News-Review. (See page 8.) He added, "I must live with what happened for the rest of my life."
Riverhead Board of Education President Kathy Berezny had no comment on the arrest, saying it was a personnel issue, referring questions to Dr. Scricca.
"The Board will issue a statement within the next 10 days regarding this situation," Dr. Scricca said Tuesday. "Mr. Zimbler will not be terminated but there will be consequences for his action."
Board vice president Chrissy Prete said the school board had been told about the arrest in an executive session meeting.
The arrest was first reported by Newsday July 31.
"I can't believe it," Ms. Prete said. "I'm extremely disappointed. It's a shame because he was a really good principal, and for him to make this kind of mistake is just stupid. This is a huge setback. We were really moving ahead."
Ms. Prete said she fears students will not respect Mr. Zimbler now and said the district needs to have a policy for how to deal with DWI arrests of employees and administrators.
Several students had already begun criticizing, and in some cases ridiculing, the principal on Internet sites like MySpace and Facebook by Friday.
Dr. Scricca said the district has no policy on dealing with drunk driving arrests.
"That's something we have to work on," Ms. Prete said. "This is not the first time something like this has happened in Riverhead."
Ms. Prete said the district needs to look at other districts' policies. She also suggested random drug testing for all district employees is needed. Ms. Prete added that the district cannot discipline Mr. Zimbler now because he has not been convicted.
Laurie Downs, a former Parent-Teacher Organization executive council president who served on the committee that recommended hiring Mr. Zimbler, said the incident "was reckless behavior and a bad decision, and I, as a taxpayer, am very concerned about his decision-making as a principal. This administration and board has attacked and reprimanded coaches and teachers for things like speaking out at meetings and covering security cameras. This is far worse. He could have killed someone, or himself."
Mr. Zimbler said in his letter that he would like to use the incident as a "teachable moment" to try and sway students from making the same mistake.
"I want nothing more than to prove to the members of the board of education, the Riverhead community, the Riverhead High School staff, and, most importantly, the children of Riverhead High School, that I have learned from my mistake and that my ultimate goal is student achievement," he wrote.
e-mail: tgannon@timesreview.com
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5 comments found
Best thing that ever happened to RHS : 8/6/2009
David Zimbler is the best thing that ever happened to Riverhead High School. He is a caring educator who genuinely wants what is best for the students. Speaking from experience, RHS needs to clean house. WE are PAYING DEARLY for a number of teachers who think they are doing the students a favor by showing up to work. They are sucking in big salaries and are largely apathetic and unprofessional. Not all but many. You cant fake genuine concern and care. Zimbler has it!
yes tolerance : 6/22/2009
While it may have been a very selfish act, I see no reason for him to step down. If anything I would hope that he uses the incident as a teaching tool. What sort of 'real world consequences' would the kids learn by him not stepping down as a previous poster suggested. Im sure he's dealing with police, the state, and probably the school board and their punishment - those are real world consequences. And as was said before, RHSD seemed to be making strides while he has been there. Why take the school back a step by expecting him to disappear after a mistake. Seems much more commendable to stand up, admit your mistake, learn from it and hopefully help others not to do the same.
Principal arrested for DWI : 6/7/2009
IM A STUDENT AT THE RIVERHEAD HIGH SCHOOL IM A FRESHMEN... WE ALL MAKE KISTAKES WHO ARE WE TO JUDGE THE NEXT PERSON... I FORGIVE YOU MR. ZIMBLER. :)
No Tolerance : 5/21/2009
Unforgiveable. For a man of his position to use SUCH poor judgment and be so incredibly irresponsible, and to not willingly resign, is just the greatest insult to the kids, the teachers, & the community. People in his position ESPECIALLY should take extra precautions to avoid this situation. This was totally avoidable, a very selfish act that is a reflection of the person's character. It's such a shame b/c I've heard that the RHSD has really been making strides. If he is going to truly respect the RHSD, the kids, and his colleagues, and all the hard work folks have been putting into to betterment, he really needs to issue an apology and step down. B/c THE SCHOOL, THE KIDS are more important than this man's Ego, or "his" lesson. Shame on him for staying. Also, kids need to see the real world consequences of such actions.
Principal example : 5/17/2009
"Teachable moment" you say. What is it, "Do as I say, not as I do?" If you jump off a bridge, will it sway the students from making the same mistake? What kind of example is that?
