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Overcast New assistant superintendent a familiar face
Nekulak promoted to Heidenreich’s former post in high school district
Dr. Tracey Nekulak, the new assistant superintendent for personnel and administration, was excited upon finding out that she was promoted to her dream job last month. In fact, she had to pull her car over to take a phone call from Superintendent Dr. Bill Heidenreich to avoid a potential accident.
“I definitely was not going to risk talking on the phone hands-free for that phone call,” she joked.
The six-year veteran of the Valley Stream Central High School District previously served as director of instruction, funded programs and grants for the last six years. Ready to take on the next challenge, she applied to be assistant superintendent when Heidenreich was promoted to the top post. “I get to stay here in Valley Stream,” she said, “which is the cherry on top.”
Nekulak has always been interested in education. After growing up in Oakdale and graduating from Connetquot High School in Suffolk County, she attended St. John’s University. She holds a bachelor’s degree in education, as well as a master’s and doctorate. The Nassau County resident, who owns a black Labrador named Miles, has been an educator for several years.
She began teaching math at both Our Lady of Mercy in Forest Hills and St. Agnes High School (now Kellenberg Memorial High School) for two years. She then taught at Carle Place Middle and High School for 15 years. While there, she was a class advisor, and cheerleading, field hockey, lacrosse and volleyball coach. It was there that she knew that education was the right career choice. “I don’t think I realized how much I love it until I was actually in the classroom for maybe six or seven years,” she said, “because watching kids grow up before your eyes, and watching them struggle and succeed, and putting the whole package together and graduating high school is really special.”
She went back to school to earn a professional diploma in 1997. After that, she spent a year as the K-8 math coordinator at West Babylon Junior High School. Then, she was an assistant principal at Merrick Avenue Middle School for three years before coming to Valley Stream.
In her former position, Nekulak worked closely with Dr. Tom Troisi, the district’s assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction. She was responsible for the district’s math, science, career and technical education programs, as well as working with the Fine and Performing Arts department. One of her primary duties was planning district-wide staff and professional development opportunities. After a year or so, she also took charge of the summer school.
But after Heidenreich’s promotion in June, a vacancy was left. Nekulak responded to the job advertisement to become Heindenreich’s replacement. “I always had aspirations of becoming an assistant superintendent for curriculum,” she said. “The curriculum person has some personnel responsibilities so I thought to myself if I was willing to become an assistant superintendent with some personnel responsibilities, why not stay in Valley Stream and just be solely responsible for personnel.”
Nekulak went through the screening process and was interviewed by the Board of Education. She was appointed to assistant superintendent with an annual salary of $150,000 at the district board meeting on July 12.
“On behalf of the board, we have a lot of confidence in Dr. Nekulak,” said board President Jeanne Greco-Jacobs. “We feel she is the best candidate to do the job. She has been with the district for several years, and is very familiar with our district and our systems, and we felt she was the best fit.”
Right now, Nekulak is making a “smooth” transition to her new position. There is a tremendous amount of overlap between the two positions, as she is finishing a summer school report and making sure the district is fully staffed for the upcoming school year, she said. She is very grateful for the board and community support. Her goals are to continue with the district’s educational programs, moving them forward and tackling any challenges including state mandate changes. “We are going to work as a team,” she said, “and make sure that we continue on our successful path.”
