Dr. Kenneth Graham appointed new Locust Valley superintendent

The Locust Valley Board of Education voted unanimously during its virtual May 5 meeting to appoint Dr. Kenneth E. Graham as the district’s new Superintendent of Schools for the next four school years. He will replace Dr. Thomas Dolan, who has served as the district’s interim superintendent during the 2019-20 school year.

“I truly am humbled and I have great gratitude for all the work that you’ve done,” Graham told the board and the watching community, “and certainly the commitment that you’ve made to me…I’m honored that the board has selected me and placed their trust in me to be the leader of this outstanding educational community.”

Graham said he had spent the earlier parts of his administrative career as the superintendent of the Long Beach and Sachem school districts. His experiences in those districts has prepared him for the challenges that lie ahead, he said, as he helped lead the Long Beach district through Hurricane Sandy in 2012.

In Sachem, Graham said he guided the district following a great financial crisis, during which three schools were closed. He said he plans to bring the expertise he gained through those experiences into Locust Valley.

“Similar work will need to take place here as we plan for an uncertain future following the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic,” Graham said. “As a district, we will be fully committed to guiding our students, families and staff through the challenges ahead in a transparent and collaborative manner.”

More to follow...