Riverhead principal arrested on DWI charge

One would think that the Newsday would have better things to print a month and a half after the actual incident. David Zimbler is one in a million and if you knew him you would be ashamed of yourself to have written this article and printed his address to boot. Get a life Newsday and all reporters of this. He will pay the price of what has happened without it being reported for the whole world to see. He does have a family and if I know him,,, emotionally he will be punishing himself. Give him a break, will ya!

I have one more thing to say,, and it is to all these holier than thou people. Let he who is without sin, cast the first stone. All you perfect people out there,,, tell me,,, do you have halo's above your heads? Someone said they didn't like his "authoritative style"? What would you have then, and administration that allows you all to get away with everything? Even saints make mistakes. David Zimbler is the most compassionate, fair, and caring person I know. I have to tell you all that when he was in the Malverne he gathered volunteers and gave of his time to re-do a family's home in the district. They spent all of their free time and their money to do this. He would actually go to a student's home to check on them,, his own time,, he would go to the store where the students would hang out before school started because they were going to be late and hussle them to school before the bell rang. He stayed late (everyday) and would attend every function for the students. He knew every student's name. So for God's sake,, he made a mistake, does it have to be broadcast all over the news after a month and a half? Get a life!!!

Sam wrote:

I have one more thing to say,, and it is to all these holier than thou people. Let he who is without sin, cast the first stone. All you perfect people out there,,, tell me,,, do you have halo's above your heads? Someone said they didn't like his "authoritative style"? What would you have then, and administration that allows you all to get away with everything? Even saints make mistakes. David Zimbler is the most compassionate, fair, and caring person I know. I have to tell you all that when he was in the Malverne he gathered volunteers and gave of his time to re-do a family's home in the district. They spent all of their free time and their money to do this. He would actually go to a student's home to check on them,, his own time,, he would go to the store where the students would hang out before school started because they were going to be late and hussle them to school before the bell rang. He stayed late (everyday) and would attend every function for the students. He knew every student's name. So for God's sake,, he made a mistake, does it have to be broadcast all over the news after a month and a half? Get a life!!!

Nice to hear from you Mrs. Zimbler...Quick question though, if Mr. Zimbler is so great how come the folks at Malverne did not fight to keep him? Surely Malverne can pay more than Riverhead. The truth: Scricca was denied tenure at Malverne, and Zimbler ran with Scricca before he suffered the same fate. Call the Malverne district office and ask them if they would like to have Zimbler back. After they wiped the drool off of their chin from hysterical laughter you will find out that they are very happy they dumped their garbage on Riverhead.

Stark wrote:

<quoted text>
Nice to hear from you Mrs. Zimbler...Quick question though, if Mr. Zimbler is so great how come the folks at Malverne did not fight to keep him? Surely Malverne can pay more than Riverhead. The truth: Scricca was denied tenure at Malverne, and Zimbler ran with Scricca before he suffered the same fate. Call the Malverne district office and ask them if they would like to have Zimbler back. After they wiped the drool off of their chin from hysterical laughter you will find out that they are very happy they dumped their garbage on Riverhead.

Zimbler did get tenure in Malverne!!

julie wrote:

<quoted text>
Zimbler did get tenure in Malverne!!

Thanks Mrs. Zimbler.

Sam wrote:

I have one more thing to say,, and it is to all these holier than thou people. Let he who is without sin, cast the first stone. All you perfect people out there,,, tell me,,, do you have halo's above your heads? Someone said they didn't like his "authoritative style"? What would you have then, and administration that allows you all to get away with everything? Even saints make mistakes. David Zimbler is the most compassionate, fair, and caring person I know. I have to tell you all that when he was in the Malverne he gathered volunteers and gave of his time to re-do a family's home in the district. They spent all of their free time and their money to do this. He would actually go to a student's home to check on them,, his own time,, he would go to the store where the students would hang out before school started because they were going to be late and hussle them to school before the bell rang. He stayed late (everyday) and would attend every function for the students. He knew every student's name. So for God's sake,, he made a mistake, does it have to be broadcast all over the news after a month and a half? Get a life!!!

Sam, Newsday wrote the story. We didn't.

1.Dave Zimbler was well liked and respected at Malverne
2. We would have fought to keep him if we could have. He chose to leave-was not asked to leave
3.Great principal. Parents, faculty and students adored him.
4.The following quote written by Sam in a post here is true. "I have to tell you all that when he was in the Malverne he gathered volunteers and gave of his time to re-do a family's home in the district. They spent all of their free time and their money to do this. He would actually go to a student's home to check on them,, his own time,, he would go to the store where the students would hang out before school started because they were going to be late and hussle them to school before the bell rang. He stayed late (everyday) and would attend every function for the students".
5. He was tenured and his tenure granting was never in jeopardy. Some of the staff that Scricca brought in were the issue. Zimbler was not one of them. He was in Malverne before Scricca. She knew a good thing and took him with her.
6. He probably would not have left Malverne but for some issues in his personl life. The Riverhead position gave him an opportunity to start over.
6.He's a smart, solid leader and a good man-made a bad decision.
7.IMO Riverhead should keep him.

Malverne wrote:

1.Dave Zimbler was well liked and respected at Malverne
2. We would have fought to keep him if we could have. He chose to leave-was not asked to leave
3.Great principal. Parents, faculty and students adored him.
4.The following quote written by Sam in a post here is true. "I have to tell you all that when he was in the Malverne he gathered volunteers and gave of his time to re-do a family's home in the district. They spent all of their free time and their money to do this. He would actually go to a student's home to check on them,, his own time,, he would go to the store where the students would hang out before school started because they were going to be late and hussle them to school before the bell rang. He stayed late (everyday) and would attend every function for the students".
5. He was tenured and his tenure granting was never in jeopardy. Some of the staff that Scricca brought in were the issue. Zimbler was not one of them. He was in Malverne before Scricca. She knew a good thing and took him with her.
6. He probably would not have left Malverne but for some issues in his personl life. The Riverhead position gave him an opportunity to start over.
6.He's a smart, solid leader and a good man-made a bad decision.
7.IMO Riverhead should keep him.

"issues in his personal life" being alcoholism. He has done none of these things you describe at Riverhead. He probably cannot name a single student in his building. Riverhead would do well to get rid of him, once again I am quite certain that Malverne will not take him back. If he were any kind of a real man he would resign his position, but I am sure he will continue to hide under Scricca's protection, like a little child.

Looks like a lot of disgruntled riverhead teachers posting here, like Stark (I doubt you are the former BOE member). Another post had it earlier these are the teachers that are probably being asked to do their jobs, but wait we can’t ask teachers to do that it could be a contract violation. Everybody needs to relax and do their jobs, when September rolls around again.

If Riverhead decides to remove this man, they would not be punishing one man, but over 1000 students. Having worked for this man, I have first hand knowledge of his dedication to kids and his unrelenting work ethic to go above and beyond his duties as noted in a previous comment ie. re-building a Malverne home, visiting students at their house. He has inspired me as an educator to be the best possible one I could be each and everyday. As all teachers know, there are days where it is hard to be at your best, but when your Prinipal is doing it each day it is motivating because you know how much he cares. I am not easily impressed, but David Zimbler is an impressive man. The truth is that RHS has had a revolving door when it comes to administrators and that has made for a below average school. He has probably made some enemies because in his first year he is attempting to change that with swift actions and a mentality of change that many people are reluctant to accept ( because it is too hard). It would be a crying shame if these people are responsible for his removal. Let the court punish him, but allow him his job.

This man is as fake as one can get! Anyone who actually believes that he is "for the kids" (as he claims to be) is as stupid as he is.Walking around the school saying a fake "good morning" is not motivating! He can't even look you in the eye when he speaks to you! This man along with the help of Mama Scricca has in one year done so much damage to Riverhead High School, its students and faculty it will be hard to undo when they leave! And by the way Teacher from Farmingville, they will leave because until Riverhead starts hiring administrators from within the district that is what will happen! Look at the administrators who have been in this district the longest--they are from Riverhead or have a history here! It is easy for you to sing the praises of Zimbler because you are probably one of his cronies who he brought to Riverhead. I have seen Zimbler demoralize students and actually bring them to tears. This man thinks he is better than everyone, and above the law. He has treated many teachers with such disrespect and utter disregard. People who work in schools are held to higher standards because they set an example for kids. Like it ot not that is the way it is. He should not keep his job! How are the kids going to respect him? How can they? What about the students and teachers who have lost family members due to drunk drivers? If a teacher did what he did and it hit the news he would be the first person demanding that they be fired!

First of all, I wasn't brought anywhere. I speak from my experience with him at Malverne and on the behalf of the staff that appreciated him. I find it hard to believe that after only 1 year, people in Riverhead can make judgements about his perormance; it takes time, epsecially when you are tring to change things. Second of all, having a pre-requisite of being from Riverhead to be succesful in Riverhead is nothing less than absurd and quite frankly-discriminatory. The man made a huge mistake, he should pay the consequences levied by the courts, but his reputation, his accomplishments, and his career should not be destroyed because of 1 mistake. We wouldn't think it was fair if it were happening to us.

First off, it would never happen to me because I would never drive drunk. I have family members who have suffered at the hands of drunks. A responsible adult should know better, especially if one is in charge of a school. Ok-so you speak for the staff at Malverne that appreciated him-that is great, maybe you guys want him back? I can't speak for what he did at Malverne, but I can speak for what he has done at Riverhead. You are obviously not familiar with the Riverhead community. What I am saying about administrators from Riverhead is that they have a vested interest in the community because they are from here. They don't just come here to get their administrative feet wet and then move on, which is a common thing here. Riverhead is a very unique community and people who are not familiar with the problems here should not come here and make snap decisions as how to "fix it". That is exactly what Zimbler and Scricca have done. They have never consulted the community or faculty as to what the problems are and input for remedy. Perhaps they have made the illusion that they have communicated, but it is just that - an illusion. Good leaders (regardless of where they originate) come into a new district and observe, listen, and communicate with the people. That was not done here. By the way, should one mistake ruin a career? Does it depends on the mistake? Should a teacher who slept with a student be given a second chance? All I am saying is that I as a member of the Riverhead community will have a difficult time ever respecting this man and believing anything he has to say. I will question every choice he has ever made and I don't think that makes for a strong school community. On a side note, you say that the courts should hold him responsible fro his actions. Yes, I agree but one of the problems in this country is that a DWI has become "not a big deal." I am afraid that is the message that has been sent. I hear students say, "Oh someone just got a DWI- that's not a big deal." Punishment is usually a slap on the wrist and most people who drive drunk haven't only done it once- they are repeat offenders.People forget how dangerous and deadly getting behind the wheel of a car can be. This is not a good message to send to our youth. Laws need to be less lenient when it comes to DUI. That is when people will take it more seriously.

I have read the above debate and I have to say I am scared for my children, who are not yet in the high school. Some seem to think that because Mr. Zimbler is a nice guy and has done great things in the past that he should should not be punished for committing a crime. But he is a criminal now, and I do not like the idea of a criminal being in charge of my children. I do not know of the type of job he did in Malverne or Riverhead, but I do know he drinks and drives. Joel Rifkin was always described as a nice guy too. As a parent I cannot understand how any Board of Education would allow a criminal to have direct contact with kids. It baffles me.

Poor Riverhead, nobody knows their troubles, they are a unique community, please...Riverhead is no more unique then any other community. Community members scream for change, but when it comes,those same people whine that outsiders are changing things,they just don't understand Riverhead. Something really smells rotten in this whole situation, and I am embarassed at those critics who truely believe they are holier then thou.

If the tables were turned on you, you would be asking for a second chance. Give him a break...

Let the courts do their thing and lets move on....

Joel Rifkin? This is truly reaching the point of ridiculous. And to "what about the students" I do not want insult you, but Riverhead is not unique. I hope you do not have the impression that Malverne was an easy place to be an administrator. It is fraught with the same challenges that RHS faces and Zimbler did a great job there. In fact the school was awarded the National Blue Ribbon award under his tenure. The 2006-07 NYS teacher of the year teaches in Malverne and when he informed the faculty that he was leaving she told him that he was the best principal the school had seen in 30 years. Again, I am not saying he should not be punished, he definitely should be, but believe me, if he is given a chance to help RHS be a better school- he will accomplish it.

Teacher...right on.

Everyone in this forum seems to agree on the fact that the courts should hold him accountable. But the problem lies in the fact that he is now considered a criminal. He will have a record if convicted and would you want a convicted felon running your child's school? I wouldn't. In fact you cannot get financial aid or hold a civil service position if convicted. Too bad he already holds his license. Now aside from Mr. Zimbler, I want to know when did it become acceptable for people to drink and drive? When did it become de-criminalized? All too often these are pleaded down in court. He'll do some community service pay a fine and that will be that. I think we need to take a look at why people think this is not such a big deal. Is it because so many people do it? Is it because they are rarely held accountable for their actions, unless they kill someone? Are you forgetting he could have killed or hurt himself or worse someone else? The police pulled him over because he was swerving all over the road, thankly before someone was hurt. I ask you all out there who are debating this matter what do you think is an acceptable punishment? Would it be different if he had injured someone? What about if a teacher/principal were caught stealing, would you want them working in your school district? I am not saying that people don't make mistakes, we all do. But lets face it there are different degrees of mistakes- and sometimes one mistake does ruin someone's life. Teacher from Port Jefferson, I am not saying that Riverhead is the only place in the world that has a diverse community with many issues. What I am trying to say is that Riverhead is very different from the many communities that surround it. If you are not familiar with the community you need to learn about it first from the people who know. I am not familiar with Malverne, however I still believe that in order to change things one should observe and listen to the community first before making rash decisions-that is the respectful way to enter a community and earn people's respect-