By Dana Williams
Brown replaces Dr. Eileen Petruzillo, who has served as the school-s interim principal since the start of this school year.
I am excited to renew my tenure as the principal of Malverne High School, Brown said in a statement. I have so many fine memories of what we were able to accomplish [here] by working together to benefit our students.
Brown served as the principal of MHS from 2000-2002, and school board members said, they are thrilled to have him rejoin District 12-s leadership team.
We are very fortunate to have Mr. James Brown back home with us in Malverne High School, District 12-s Superintendent Dr. James Hunderfund said in a statement. His reputation as an educational leader is renowned.
Brown previously served as a principal and assistant principal in secondary schools in the Freeport School District. He has also held positions such as dean of students and teacher at Roosevelt Junior Senior High School. The longtime educator graduated with a bachelor-s of science degree from Hofstra University and earned his master-s of science degree at New York University.
I truly believe that God-s plan for me has placed me here at the right time in my life to help make a difference in the quality of Malverne-s education, and the lives of children, Brown said.
Brown-s appointment comes after a number parents expressed earlier last year that more stability was needed in the school district, especially in MHS. Last June, as the school year ended, District 12 was without a superintendent, deputy superintendent, high school principal, fine arts chair and a foreign language chair. With the exception of a deputy superintendent, the school board has filled all of these key positions.
In December, the Malverne School Board continued its efforts to improve leadership in the district by appointing Hunderfund, who replaced Dr. Mary Ellen Freely after she retired earlier last year and who was serving as District 12-s interim superintendent at the time, as the official school superintendent.
Hunderfund-s appointment was followed by the board-s selection of Richard Banyon as the district-s assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction in January. Banyon was serving as District 12-s interim assistant superintendent before he accepted the new position.
School officials, said, they are confident that Brown will bring positive leadership for students at MHS, and will undoubtedly contribute to MHS-s quest for outstanding achievement in all parts of school life.
I-m just very excited to be back here, Brown said. I-m really looking forward to working with everyone here in the Malverne School District, and just helping the students to excel.
Comments about this story? DWilliams@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 282.
