Thursday, October 1, 2026
Rhame Avenue Elementary School will once again be searching for a new principal after the East Rockaway Board of Education accepted the resignation of Jack Bixhorn during a special meeting on July 30.
The board unanimously approved Bixhorn’s resignation, which takes effect Aug. 27. Trustees also approved an employment agreement for Neil Lederer, a veteran educator who will serve as interim principal while the district searches for a permanent replacement, and authorized Superintendent James DeTommaso to execute the agreement on the district’s behalf.
Lederer is already familiar with the East Rockaway school community, having previously served as interim principal of both East Rockaway Junior-Senior High School and Centre Avenue Elementary School. District officials said his familiarity with the district will help provide continuity for Rhame Avenue students, staff and families during the transition.
Bixhorn returned to Rhame Avenue as principal in August 2022, succeeding Dr. Aysesha McArthur. His appointment marked a homecoming after previously serving the school as a classroom teacher, elementary math specialist and administrative intern.
At the time of his appointment, Bixhorn said he looked forward to working with students, families and staff to continue building a positive school culture.
“I know the students are ready to learn,” Bixhorn told the Herald in 2024. “The staff is caring, and the community is eager to partner with the school. I am excited to collaborate with all stakeholders to foster a safe and caring school environment that promotes student success and well-being.”
Before becoming principal, Bixhorn built much of his educational career in East Rockaway. After teaching algebra and special education in the Bronx, he joined Rhame Avenue, where he taught sixth-grade math and science before becoming the school’s elementary math specialist.
One of his most memorable projects came in 2017, when he encouraged sixth-grade students to write letters to state lawmakers explaining how additional Foundation Aid funding could benefit their education. The initiative gave students a voice in advocating for resources for their school while teaching them about civic engagement.
Following his time in East Rockaway, Bixhorn served as assistant principal at Robert Frost Middle School in Deer Park before joining the Oyster Bay-East Norwich Central School District, where he worked as K-12 mathematics supervisor and later director of technology and data before returning to Rhame Avenue as principal.
Lederer brings nearly five decades of experience in public education to the interim role. He began his administrative career in 1976 as assistant principal of Lindenhurst Junior High School and later served as principal of Lindenhurst Senior High School, Oldfield Middle School and Harborfields Senior High School. He also spent seven years as superintendent of the Lindenhurst school district and has since served in a number of interim principal and superintendent positions across Nassau and Suffolk counties.
He holds a master’s degree in educational administration and supervision from New York University and a bachelor’s degree in biology from Long Island University.
As interim principal, Lederer will oversee Rhame Avenue’s daily operations and work with teachers, staff and district administrators as the search for a permanent principal continues.
DeTommaso said Lederer’s experience and previous service in East Rockaway made him a strong choice to guide the school through the transition.
“Neil has been an outstanding leader, trusted mentor and friend throughout my career,” DeTommaso said. “His experience, integrity and commitment to students make him the ideal person to lead Rhame Avenue during this transition. I am confident that he will once again answer the call to serve East Rockaway, and I know our students, staff and families will be in exceptional hands.”
The July 30 special meeting lasted just a few minutes, with trustees unanimously approving Bixhorn’s resignation and Lederer’s employment agreement before adjourning. District officials said the search for Rhame Avenue’s next permanent principal will continue while Lederer leads the school on an interim basis.
