Merrick superintendent plans to retire

Dr. Ranier Melucci has announced that he will retire as superintendent of the Merrick School District next June, a position that he has held for nine years.

The announcement came at a Merrick Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 6. “The nine years that I have spent in the Merrick School District have been the most gratifying and rewarding of my professional career,” said Melucci. “I had the privilege of working with many fine educators and continue to be impressed with the level of commitment of all the members of the educational community.”

Melucci, 60, has served as a superintendent for 13 years, and as an educator for the past 39 years. He became superintendent of the Merrick School District in the 2003-04 school year. During his time as administrator, he has made significant changes within the district, including changes in the school recruitment and hiring process, professional development programs and instructional practices.

Melucci has seen every school budget pass during his tenure, and even in a time of economic recession, no full-time staff positions or instructional programs were eliminated. In fact, programs were added to the curriculum, including elementary foreign language for grades three to six. Also during his tenure, the district undertook an energy-efficiency project, which secured special grants to help fund district efficiency programs.

“The district is most fortunate to have talented building and central office administrators, dedicated teachers and support staff, and a very supportive parent community,” said Melucci.

Melucci earned his doctorate from Fordham University, and his undergraduate degrees from Brooklyn College. His wife, Roseanne, is superintendent of the East Rockaway School District.

Before coming to Merrick, Melucci was superintendent of the Seaford School District, and served as an assistant superintendent in the Manhasset School District, as well as principal of Baldwin Senior High School, which was awarded national honors for excellence during his tenure there.