By MIKE CAPUTO
In February, Interim Superintendent Leon Campo unveiled his "best thinking," which called for the consideration of a current East Meadow administrator. The name was not publicly revealed until the April 2 work session, when, in a memo read at the meeting, Campo said he believed that Louis DeAngelo, assistant superintendent for human resources, was an "excellent choice" to lead the district. Campo also offered to stay on to help DeAngelo through the transition, but stressed that his services would not be required.
"His positive work ethic and personal integrity, professional contributions and personal dedication to our school system are widely recognized attributes," Campo said. "Lou DeAngelo also possesses the institutional memory of our schools, an asset that will prove invaluable as he exercises the leadership necessary to improve our school district. These are qualities that our schools need at this important time in our history."
The school board agreed to meet with DeAngelo during a special executive session on Wednesday evening, after the Herald went to press. Despite the observance of Passover on Wednesday night, Abby Rothschild-Kaplan said it was essential for the school board to speak to DeAngelo before school closes on Thursday until April 20 for the spring break.
"I feel that the interview with Lou DeAngelo needs to move forward," Rothschild-Kaplan said. "We owe it to this district, because Lee Campo plans to retire, because on June 30 his contract is up. According to Campo's opinion, Lou needs to be groomed, so let's start grooming quickly, if that's the way we're going to go. But if we go with the search firm, we need lead time. It's not something you want to wait until the last minute for.
"I'll bring my box of matzos," she added.
Who is Louis DeAngelo?
DeAngelo has worked for the school district since 1985, when he was hired as the director of special education. After a stint as director of pupil personnel services, he became assistant superintendent for human resources in 2001.
DeAngelo grew up in Old Bethpage, earned his undergraduate degree in Florida and then completed a master's degree in special education and administrative course work at Hofstra and NYU.
He said he did not have an interest in the position when the first superintendent search was conducted last spring. But once school leaders mentioned his name in the discussions, he added, he became intrigued.
"I'm flattered to be considered to be at the helm of a district of this caliber," DeAngelo said. "And I look forward to the board's consideration."
When Campo revealed on April 2 that DeAngelo was the choice in his leadership transition plan, several administrators in the audience stood and applauded. Gregory Bottari, principal of Barnum Woods Elementary School and president of the East Meadow Supervisory and Administrative Association, was the first to stand.
"While I haven't canvassed the administrative union for an official statement or endorsement, I can clearly tell you we were very, very supportive," Bottari said. "I think this district would be better served by someone familiar with the issues."
John Gallagher, president of the East Meadow Teachers Association, said that he and many of the union members were away at a conference on April 2, and have not yet developed a position on Campo's "best thinking."
School board President Brian O'Flaherty noted that in the first search, there was an emphasis on finding a leader with a versatile background that included special education. "I think Lou DeAngelo is the right guy for the time right now," O'Flaherty said. "The first search preference was to find someone with a special ed. background and someone who understands the culture."
Search remains an option
At a March work session, the board appeared prepared to hire a consulting firm to conduct a third search for a superintendent. The first search, which used an outside firm, ended in failure last June when two final candidates withdrew their names from consideration. At that point the school board signed Campo to a one-year extension, which expires in June. A second search in the fall, conducted by an internal committee of administrators, also proved fruitless.
According to O'Flaherty, a consulting firm that was considered for the first search declined to pursue an agreement with East Meadow to get involved in a subsequent search. He said the firm was wary after hearing accounts of the first search, which was conducted by School Leadership LLC.
A majority of the school board, however, appears to be leaning toward conducting another search, O'Flaherty said. "Lou seems to be fitting the bill right now, but it seems that the board would like to do the search," he said.
Other board members have claimed that there are several firms interested in conducting a third search for the district. Trustee Steven Jacobs said he is in contact with two firms that have expressed an interest and are in the process of preparing proposals. "I don't appreciate that defeatist attitude that indicates that we're not going to attract any quality candidates," Jacobs said. "East Meadow is a quality community. The residents show their support to our school district each year by passing our budget, and I'm confident that we can attract quality candidates who want to serve as our superintendent.
Ellen Matishek, president of the East Meadow PTA Council, said that its members have been monitoring the process closely, and many are concerned about the ultimate result. "The PTA is very concerned with this whole outcome and the way [the search] has been handled," Matishek said. "We take one step forward, we take two back. We take another step forward, then two back. When they come back from spring break, it's the end of April."
Comments about this story? MCaputo@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 287.
