Saturday, June 21, 2025
After nearly two decades in the Hewlett-Woodmere school district, Dina Anzalone was named its new superintendent on April 23, succeeding Ralph Marino Jr., who has held the position since 2015 and announced his retirement last July.
Anzalone, the district’s current assistant superintendent for teaching, learning and technology, will start her new job on July 1. She has worked in the district for 18 years, including a nearly 13-year stint as principal of Ogden Elementary School, during which Ogden was recognized by the National Parent Teacher Association as a school of excellence in 2019 and 2021. The School Administrators Association of New York State and the National Association of Elementary School Principals nominated Anzalone for Principal of the Year in 2020.
She was the district’s director of curriculum and assessment from 2007 to 2012. She has also served as treasurer of the Hewlett-Woodmere Administrators and Supervisors Association, and was a member of the District Leadership Team, the District Instructional Leadership Team and several committees and task forces.
Anzalone also chairs the Board of Education Curriculum, Instruction, and Technology Committee; the District Curriculum, Instruction, and Technology Committee; the PTA Curriculum Committee; and the Professional Development Committee.
Anzalone said that she is committed to shaping the future of the district, and maintaining its excellence. “I am deeply honored and profoundly grateful for the trust the Board of Education has placed in me by offering me the position of superintendent …,” she said at the Board of Education meeting on April 23. “It is a privilege to continue serving this remarkable district — one that has been my home for 18 of my 31 years in education.”
Anzalone has coordinated two superintendent conference day events, which offered more than 100 professional development courses to district staff. She also assembles a monthly video package of what district students are doing, called “Hewlett Highlights,” and shows it at board meetings.
Before coming to Hewlett-Woodmere, Anzalone served as a kindergarten teacher in the Oceanside school district from 2002 to 2004, and a language arts teacher from 2004 to 2007.
She has also been active in the Nassau County Principals Association, the National Association of Elementary School Principals, the American Association of School Administrators, the School Administrators Association of New York State, the Long Island Consortium for Excellence and Equity in Education, the National PTA and the Tri-State Consortium.
The search for a new superintendent involved more than 20 applicants from across the country, and included a rigorous interview process that spanned most of the school year, district officials said.
The top candidates were asked to present a 45-minute entry plan, explaining their plan to lead Hewlett-Woodmere into the future, with only 24 hours’ notice. After each candidate presented his or her plan, the Board of Education conducted an extensive question-and-answer session as well.
Board President Debra Sheinin said that trustees unanimously agreed in early March that Anzalone was the right choice to lead the district.
“Dr. Anzalone has dedicated the past 18 years of her career in education to serving the Hewlett-Woodmere Public Schools community” Sheinin said. “She maintains a strong vision for educational excellence, a proven track record of leadership, and a deep commitment to student success. We are confident that under her guidance, Hewlett-Woodmere Public Schools will continue to grow and thrive.”
The Woodmere Education Center auditorium was packed as residents, current and former students, family members, and colleagues gathered to celebrate Anzalone’s appointment on April 23. Some had brought pom-poms and confetti cannons to celebrate.
Jon Altus, a former board trustee, commended his successors’ decision, and said that with Anzalone’s leadership, he is confident in the future of the district.
“I have had the fortunate ability to work with Dr. Anzalone — I have seen her work, I have seen her magic, I have seen what she has done for this community, and you can see the support here today,” Altus said. “I can’t tell you how excited that I personally am, of the hard work the board did to elect such a fantastic leader in our community.”
Sheinin and Anzalone signed the contract and Marino congratulated Anzalone on her new position.
“I want to congratulate Dina,” Marino said. “I think the world of you, and I believe you are more than ready.”
