Schools

Applications Sought for Huntington Superintendent

Search for Finello's successor as schools chief takes another step.

The search has begun in earnest for the successor to retiring Huntington schools superintendent John J. Finello.

Western Suffolk BOCES, which is handling the details of the search, is seeking applicants for the job, which comes with a three-year contract and a start date of July 1. A brochure offering details of the process, job requirements and a profile of the district has been posted on the district website. Finello's salary for the current year is $266,629.  

The brochure paints a cheery picture of the school district, pointing out the numerous awards won by the high school class of 2010, while a student profile offers more details.

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It notes that Huntington public schools serve approximately 4,500 students in four primary schools, one intermediate school, one middle school and one high school.

The professional staff consists of about 400 teachers and 37 administrators.

Find out what's happening in Huntingtonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The student profile includes:

  • 22% Free/Reduced Lunch Eligible
  • 94% Attendance Rate
  • NYS Accountability Status—in Good Standing
  • 86% Passing English Regents
  • 81% Passing Math A Regents
  • 78% Passing Global Studies Regents
  • 87% Regents Diploma Recipients
  • 52% Advanced Regents Diploma Recipients
  • 90% College-Bound Graduates

For this year's graduating class awards, it notes:

  • 4 National Merit Commended Students
  • 3 National Merit Semi-finalists
  • 1 National Merit Finalist
  • 1 Siemens Intel Semi-Finalist

At the top of BOCES list is the need to assess qualifications, including learning more about the candidates' views and experience in:

  • Instruction
  • Staff relations
  • Board-superintendent relations
  • Community relations
  • District operations and finance
  • Personal characteristics

Candidates must hold or be eligible for a New York State School District Administrator certification. Demonstrated educational leadership is required.

BOCES laid out this timetable for its search: from January to March, it will arrange applicant screening and candidate interviews; April to May, final candidate interviews and background review will be conducted, followed by the appointment of a superintendent, who would then start the job in July.

Letters of intent will be accepted from candidates through Dec.31.

Letters should be sent to:

Dr. Michael J. Mensch
chief operating officer
Western Suffolk BOCES
P.O. Box 20753
Huntington Station, 11746-9007.

Candidates are asked not contact individual members of the school board.

UPDATED: The brochure makes no mention of the controversial closing of this summer over concerns about crime in the neighborhood, overcrowding at the primary schools or complaints from parents about the high school being placed on the state's "School in need of improvement" list.  The specific financial concerns many school and political officials are expressing over expected cuts in state aid in the coming months are not identified beyond noting a general need in the qualifications section to meet "financial challenges in the current economic climate."


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