Search continues for Valley Stream high schools leader

The Valley Stream Central High School District is still missing a permanent superintendent, and officials are continuing on to another round of interviews, while remaining hopeful to find someone soon.

“The board is dedicated and is putting a lot of time in,” said Board Vice President Jeanne Greco-Jacobs. “We are optimistic we will get there to setting an appointment date.”

To date, the board has met with 10 candidates so far, and several have had second interviews. Last month, seven candidates were interviewed, and another three candidates on May 12. The candidates’ are very diverse, coming from New York, Connecticut and New Jersey, and several have previous superintendent and administrative experience, according to Board President Ken Cummings.

School Leadership LLC, a search firm hired by the district, recommended candidates to the board. “We received information,” Cummings said, “and focused in on finalists.”

There were initially 40 finalists, but the number has since grown larger. But the board has not found the right person yet, according to Cummings. “It’s tough because it’s been a long process,” he said, “and having done your homework, to not have someone to appoint is frustrating.”

Trustee Frank Chiachiere noted the importance of hiring a superintendent. “It’s not something you do haphazardly,” he said. “You do it for three years and enter into a contract, by law, that is binding…It would be better to wait as long as it takes to find the right person and not the wrong person.”

Chiachiere commends Dr. Richard Marsh, who has been leading the district in the interim after the retirement of former superintendent Dr. Marc Bernstein last year. “He is doing an exemplary job,” Chiachiere said.

Having participated in a successful superintendent search in Valley Stream District 13 — Dr. Adrienne Robb-Fund was appointed on April 27 — he believes the community would be better served if Marsh stayed on or someone of his caliber until the board finishes the search.

But as of now, Marsh will be leaving at the end of June, Cummings said.

And if no date is set to appoint someone before the school year’s end, the board might have to consider another option — another interim superintendent. “I hope not to go that route,” Cummings said, “but that’s the only route.”