Memorial Junior High principal departs

It is now official that the halls are a bit emptier at Valley Stream Memorial Junior High School with the absence of Principal Kathleen Walsh, who left her post on July 31. Many residents and Valley Stream officials expressed warm wishes and affectionate praise for Walsh since first hearing about her decision to leave during the high school district’s Board of Education Reorganization Meeting on July 13.

Board of Education President Kenneth Cummings spoke of his gratitude toward Walsh at that meeting. “Thank you very much for all the good work,” he said. “I really thank you for that because I have two daughters who go to Memorial.”

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Marc Bernstein, who is retiring in December, was also appreciative of Walsh’s efforts throughout her time as principal. “Best wishes to Dr. Walsh,” Bernstein said. “As I walk the halls, she is constantly involved with the children in the school. She provides guidance to the children and she understands the responsibilities. [She] affected 1,000 kids as principal.”

Some individuals in the crowd were extremely disheartened upon hearing the news of her resignation. And others asked themselves what would happen after Walsh’s last day on July 31.

Valley Stream Youth Council Board President Ken Heino said that he is thankful for Walsh letting the council use Memorial as a meeting place. “We are at a loss,” Heino said. “She really is a pillar in Valley Stream. Kathy really will be missed.”

And one special memory shared by former Memorial PTSA President Tony Spezio struck a emotional chord with the audience. “I challenged Walsh seven years ago,” he said. “I asked her what she was going to do to fix the rap at Memorial? Thank you to [Walsh] for what she has done. We appreciate it and good luck.”

As Walsh began to walk away from this journey as principal, she was preparing for a new adventure. After what many residents call an “illustrious career” of eight years at Memorial, Walsh accepted a position as the new assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction with the Wappingers Central School District in Wappingers Falls, N.Y.

But for filling Walsh’s shoes with a successor, the board started an online search and began interviewing potential candidates. Now, the search is over because, according to Cummings, the board appointed Anthony Mignella as the new principal to succeed Walsh during a special board meeting on July 29. Cummings said that there is no contract for Mignella because he is an “at will” employee. He also noted that Mignella will have a probationary period as principal and there is no agreement for his term.

Mignella, who previously served four years as assistant principal at Valley Stream Central High School, will begin his new duties immediately to get prepared for the upcoming school year.