Dear Great Neck Community Members,
As I begin my tenure as Superintendent of Schools for the district, I would first like to thank the many students, parents, staff members and residents who have taken the time to introduce themselves and warmly welcomed me to the school community. The kind words that have been thoughtfully shared have been greatly appreciated. Since the time I was announced as the district’s new leader, I have met with the Board of Education, administrators and other members of the district team. While August 1 is my “official” first day as Superintendent of Schools, my interactions with various stakeholders over the past several weeks have provided me with a solid foundation regarding the district and community on which to build.
I join all residents of Great Neck in mourning the loss of Dr. Prendergast. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and all those who knew her. I deeply regret that I was unable to partner with her during this transitional process, but am extremely thankful for the opportunity to continue the outstanding work she helped to foster within the district. I am committed to continuing her legacy of making certain that all decisions are made in the best interest of our students and the Great Neck community.
The community’s approval of the 2023-24 operating budget will allow the district to continue to provide an extremely diverse learning environment for students at all levels. The variety of instructional designs, technology resources as well as extra-curricular, co-curricular, and athletic activities is nothing short of outstanding. I was pleased to learn that so many students in this district take advantage of these opportunities, as I believe they contribute greatly to the educational experience offered in any district. After only a surface review of district offerings, there is little mystery as to why Niche Magazine recently ranked Great Neck Public Schools as number one in New York State and number three in the nation. I am overjoyed to be joining such a successful team.
While it is summer and the schools are quiet, please be assured that our work continues. We are refining certain areas of the curriculum, planning for professional development to be offered to staff, and finalizing course schedules and class assignments. Our facilities and grounds crew are also already hard at work preparing our buildings for the start of school in early September, inclusive of some extensive capital improvements that we look forward to sharing.
In the coming days I will be posting my 100 Day Entry Plan to the district website. You will note that part of this plan will be to become better acquainted with as many stakeholders as possible in order to gain perspectives on various aspects of the district and community. If you would like the opportunity to meet with me, please contact my assistant, Kuniko Langel, at (516) 441-4006 to arrange a mutually convenient time.
Again, thank you for your sincere welcome to this wonderful school community. I look forward to meeting many stakeholders throughout the summer and as school resumes in September.
Best wishes for a safe and happy month of August, full of memories with family and friends.
—Sincerely, Kenneth R. Bossert, Ed.D., Superintendent of Schools
