Now, more than a year later, Ms. Hammer still refuses to resign and it is unclear when she will be removed from the $65,702-a-year post.

If you also want to create multiple heads, Ms. Hammer said, allow the central stem to continue growing.

"Our mission in some ways should be to move forward, not just to repeat things that are rich and wonderful from the past," Ms. Hammer said.

Ms. Hammer did not respond to repeated telephone messages left at the board's office in lower Manhattan.

As one of the most successful programmers in cable television, Ms. Hammer tends to get a bit worked up about these things.

"I loved the idea of taking over," Ms. Hammer said, "something in a sense that would be under the radar."

"The science materials were paid for by the parents' association," Ms. Hammer said.

Ms. Hammer pointed to one and told me about Project Arts.

Ms. Hammer said she had the same impression from the pilot.

"I wanted to integrate near and far vistas so the property appears extended," Ms. Hammer said.