Huntington Schools Ask Survey Help

The has posted a survey inviting those with ties to the district for their ideas about a successor to retiring Schools Superintendent John J. Finello.

Survey participants are asked to list the main qualifications they consider most important in a superintendent, in seven main questions ranging from classroom experience to personal characteristics. The survey will close Dec.31.

Dr. Michael J. Mensch, deputy superintendent of Western Suffolk BOCES,  told a recent school board meeting said that his organization doesn't select candidates but does the legwork, helping line up candidates,  engaging various groups in the process, such as parents, teachers and staff, and arranging for advertising and a job description.

BOCES will present its development of recruitment materials before the end of the year. From January to March, it will arrange applicant screening and candidate interviews; April to May, final candidate inteviews and background review will be conducted, followed by the appointment of a superintendent, who would then start the job in July.

Finello has been superintendent since July 2001. He is a 1968 graduate of Huntington High School who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in education at St. John's University in 1972 and his  Master of Arts in education at Adelphi University in 1975. He received a Professional Diploma in educational administration at Long Island University – C.W. Post in 1985.