A Department of Education administrator who is fluent in Arabic will lead Boerum Hill's Khalil Gibran International Academy.

The DOE announced the appointment of Holly Reichert Tuesday at the school, located at 500 Pacific St. Reichert works for the DOE, but not as a principal. She spent years living and working in the Middle East and is fluent in Arabic.

Supporters of former Principal Debbie Almontaser protested outside. Critics argue a Middle Eastern or Muslim person needs to head the school. Almontaser recently lost a court battle to be reappointed to the post.

She resigned amid controversy surrounding the new school.

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