Valley Stream high school district will name interim leader

The Central High School District Board of Education is in the process of finalizing plans to hire an interim superintendent effective Jan. 1. The interim superintendent will replace outgoing superintendent, Dr. Marc Bernstein, who will be retiring on Dec. 31 after almost seven years in the district.

“We looked and interviewed for an interim superintendent,” said Jeanne Greco Jacobs, the board’s vice president. “We found one and are finalizing things, which there are legal requirements to comply with and contracts.”

The potential interim’s name cannot be released yet, according to board President Kenneth Cummings. “We have not named a person yet because the decision is not finalized,” Cummings said.

As for finding a permanent replacement for Bernstein, the board is looking to hire a search firm to help find someone for the next school year. Though they are interviewing potential firms, they have not appointed any yet, according to Cummings. The board is asking some firms for Requests for Proposals before making a final decision.

In addition, the board wants to seek out community input before finding a permanent superintendent. In an “open” process, parents, students and community members will have a chance to tell the board what they want in a superintendent, board members say, with a chance to do so at future board meetings.

“Certainly, we want to approach the community and have various discussions with them,” Greco Jacobs said. “The ultimate decision is the board’s, but we want input from all constituents.”