Dr. Laura Feijoo, the new leader of New Rochelle schools, spent her first day as superintendent reassuring her community she's here to stay – despite some pushback from residents who say she doesn't belong.

Dr. Feijoo's journey overseeing the New Rochelle School District comes with a cloud of controversy. A group known as "The Collective New Rochelle" claims the 30-year educator is unqualified to oversee students because she filed a $90 million reverse discrimination lawsuit against her former employer, the New York City Department of Education, alleging her then-colleagues of color weren't qualified to replace her.

MORE: New Rochelle group sues BOE, alleging superintendent not qualified for job 

"The Collective" then filed a lawsuit against the Board of Education, claiming it didn't do its part in properly hiring a superintendent. Dr. Feijoo says these lawsuits won't get in the way of her bright vision for New Rochelle.

The lawsuit Dr. Feijoo filed is pending and the lawsuit “The Collective” filed against the Board of Education hasn’t been served yet.

Dr. Feijoo says the district is on a rebound following several anti-Semitic attacks, student violence and a grade inflation scandal. She says she's prepared to repair the district's tarnished reputation.

"The Collective" wants to see Dr. Feijoo's contract terminated, but following her first day on the job, Dr. Feijoo is confident and committed to proving to her community she's the right fit for the job.