Valley Stream Central High School principal Candace Hugee gets $150G payout in settlement agreement
Valley Stream Central High School Credit: Newsday/A.J. Singh
A Valley Stream Central High School principal who resigned last month received a $150,000 payout, according to a copy of her settlement agreement with the district.
Candace Hugee stepped down on April 17 amid a dispute with the district over her employment. Superintendent Wayne Loper had announced in March that Bret Strauss, principal of Memorial Junior High School in Valley Stream, would replace Hugee in July.
The settlement agreement, obtained by Newsday through a public-records request, notes Hugee was paid for emotional distress she allegedly suffered due to the dispute with the district.
"While the District does not admit any wrongdoing, it understands that Employee has made claims of emotional distress and alleged harm coming from same," the agreement states.
Hugee was also granted tenure as part of the agreement.
As part of the public-records request, Newsday also received personnel records for Hugee, who took over leadership of the high school in July 2023.
An Aug. 7, 2025, review noted she increased the high school's graduation rate to 99%, a percentage point more than the prior year. Under her leadership, the number of AP students passing their exams increased to 79% from 76% the prior year.
The review said there was one fight at the school during the 2024-25 academic year compared with zero the year before. There was also a 6% reduction in suspensions compared with the prior year, the review said.
But the review also noted, "Following a challenging year that created some division within the faculty and staff, it is important that you focus on rebuilding relationships."
In Hugee's midyear evaluation for 2025-26, she received an "unsatisfactory" for “enhanced communication with district administration” and a “needs improvement” for “relationship building with faculty and staff” and “leadership team cohesion and alignment," according to the records.
Loper wrote Hugee a counseling memorandum on Jan. 13, the records show. The contents of the memorandum were redacted.
Hugee's attorney, Frederick K. Brewington, provided a copy of a letter he said Hugee sent Loper in response. In that letter, she detailed how she communicated with the district regarding two incidents that took place after school. She also noted other examples of notifying the district.
Hugee also challenged the midyear evaluation, stating “a fair evaluation should include direct observation, documented evidence, professional dialogue, and a meaningful opportunity for growth," according to a letter provided by Brewington. She wrote the evaluation failed to include direct observations by Loper and omitted other observations in which she was rated “effective overall.”
Mistreatment alleged
Brewington has said his client was "blindsided" by the news she was being replaced by Strauss.
Some parents and students criticized the move, citing the need for greater transparency. A student launched an online petition calling for Hugee’s reinstatement, which had amassed more than 900 signatures as of Thursday.
Brewington provided Newsday with a copy of a letter he sent the district, dated April 1, alleging Hugee, an African-American woman, was subject to "mistreatment, abuse and differential treatment that raises serious questions about your District's awareness." The letter also claimed the district retaliated against Hugee for complaining about this treatment and the discrimination of others.
Reached for comment Thursday, the district referred to a statement it made when Hugee resigned: "The dispute regarding this matter has been resolved to the mutual satisfaction of the parties," it said.
Steven Gilhuley, the district's assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, had been named interim principal following Hugee's departure. Loper notified parents in a letter Thursday that Lino Bracco would take over for Gilhuley.
Strauss is still slated to become principal in July, according to the letter, which was shared by a district spokesman.
Lorena Mongelli has been reporting for Newsday since 2021. Prior to that, she covered breaking news at the New York Post.
