At the Board of Education meeting on April 26, board trustees voted unanimously to appoint John J. O’Keefe as the district’s new Assistant Superintendent for Business following the retirement of John T. Powell this summer. Mr. Powell previously announced his retirement, effective July 1, following 16 years of dedicated service to the Great Neck Public Schools.
Mr. O’Keefe comes to Great Neck from the Sachem Central School District, where he currently serves as Deputy Superintendent. His current job responsibilities include all aspects of budgeting and business operations, as well as overseeing transportation, food services, facilities, and instructional technology.
“I am greatly looking forward to becoming a member of the administrative team in the Great Neck Public Schools. It is truly humbling, and I certainly appreciate the trust that has been placed in me,” says Mr. O’Keefe. “I am honored to be joining this outstanding educational community.”
Mr. O’Keefe started in Sachem as the Assistant Superintendent for Business and Operations in July 2016, and he was promoted to Deputy Superintendent just two years later. Prior to Sachem, his experience in school business and finance included two years as Assistant Superintendent for Business and Operations in the West Hempstead Union Free School District, two years as School Business Administrator for the Sag Harbor Union Free School District, and three years as Director of Business Operations for the Cleary School for the Deaf. His career in public education follows 20 years of experience in operations management in the private sector.
Mr. O’Keefe earned an Executive Masters in Business Administration from St. Joseph’s College, a Masters in Educational Leadership from Long Island University-C.W. Post, and a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management from St. Joseph’s College. He holds Advanced Certificates in School District Leadership and School District Business Leadership from LIU-C.W. Post. In 2013, he was the recipient of the School District Business Leader Award, presented by the New York State Association of School Business Officials.
Mr. O’Keefe was appointed by the Great Neck Board of Education following an extensive selection process, which included multiple rounds of interviews with a selection committee comprised of parents, faculty, staff, and administrators.
“Our District prides itself on our intensive hiring practices, which ensure that only the most qualified candidates are selected to uphold our District’s tradition of excellence,” explains Dr. Teresa Prendergast, Superintendent of Schools.
“On behalf of the entire District, I’d like to express my sincere appreciation and gratitude for Mr. Powell’s many years of dedicated service to our school community, during which time our District has maintained a strong financial position and earned the highest ratings from Moody’s Investors Service,” praised Dr. Prendergast. “I am confident that Mr. O’Keefe will carry on Great Neck’s long-standing reputation for sound business operations.”
—Submitted by the Great Neck Public School District
