Merrick School District names its new superintendent

The Merrick Board of Education has selected Dr. Dominick Palma as the next Merrick School District superintendent.

The current superintendent, Dr. Ranier Melucci, who is retiring at the end of June, introduced Palma at the May 8 Board of Education meeting. School Leadership, LLC , a firm that conducts nationwide superintendent searches for school districts, chose Palma as a finalist for the job after a months-long search. The Board of Education, led by President Joann Seibert, made the final selection.

Palma was previously an assistant superintendent for curriculum and student services in the West Babylon School District and the director of student services in the Valley Stream Central High School District.

He received his bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Rochester, his doctorate in school and clinical psychology from Hofstra University, and his professional diploma in school administration from Dowling College.

Palma will officially become the Merrick superintendent on July 1.