December 11, 2025

Dear GNPS Community:

I’m writing to inform the community about an incident that occurred Friday, December 5, at North High School. Please forgive the delay in notification as we worked to complete an extremely thorough investigation with all essential parties. 

Last Friday afternoon, two Great Neck teenagers, who do not attend North High School, entered the building with a large group of GNNHS students as they returned to the building following a lunch period. Some students purposefully distracted security to help the trespassers enter, while others participated in the planning or execution of this prank. 

Our investigation concluded that this was an orchestrated, irresponsible prank involving a sizable group of North High students. It was determined that the students’ intent was to take and post pictures with these two individuals inside the building. 

It is essential to convey that at no time were students or staff in danger. The trespassers walked the halls accompanied by North High students for approximately 10 minutes before being apprehended by the building administration and never accessed any classrooms. Nassau County Police Department was immediately contacted, and the individuals were issued trespass orders. NCPD remained with the trespassers until their parents arrived. Their home school was notified, and we have been advised that sanctions were assigned.

The actions of our students violated our Code of Conduct, and appropriate consequences have been assigned in accordance with Board Policy #5300. All parents of identified students have been informed, and meetings with building administration have been held throughout the week to convey the severity of this matter.

Great Neck Public Schools takes all security matters extremely seriously and this incident has prompted a review of our building lunch-period re-entry protocols, including procedures directed to our own students and directives given to our security guards. 

We remain steadfastly committed to continually strengthening systems that ensure the safety, health, and welfare of our school community.

Sincerely,

Kenneth R. Bossert, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

November 10, 2025

Dear GNPS Community,

The Board of Education accepted the resignation of E.M. Baker Elementary Principal, Dr. Michael Grimaldi, at the October 16, 2025 public meeting of the Board of Education. Dr. Grimaldi has accepted a position outside of GNPS and will be departing the district effective November 14, 2025. I am sure you will join me in wishing Dr. Grimaldi well in his new position. We thank him for his 7 years of dedicated service to the students, faculty, staff and community of E.M. Baker. We are confident that the positive impact he has had on a generation of learners won’t soon be forgotten.

Dr. Grimaldi’s resignation created a principal vacancy at E.M. Baker School. It is anticipated that the Board of Education, at their November 12, 2025 Board meeting, will appoint Dr. Heather Sweet-Lazos to serve as E.M. Baker’s interim principal through the end of this school year. We are grateful for Dr. Sweet-Lazos’ leadership and support as E.M. Baker’s assistant principal over the past 9+ years, and we are confident that her diverse leadership skill set will continue to serve our district well as interim principal at E.M. Baker. 

I am pleased to further announce that it is anticipated that the Board will appoint veteran administrator Kathleen Murray as E.M. Baker’s acting assistant principal, effective November 17, 2025, at the public meeting set to take place on November 12, 2025.

Ms. Murray is a familiar face in GNPS, having served as an elementary building administrator in the district for seven years before her retirement in 2021. Ms. Murray dedicated her entire career to elementary education, which includes over 25 years as a classroom teacher before becoming an administrator. She joined our district in 2014 as the assistant principal at John F. Kennedy Elementary, and she served as principal at Parkville School from 2018 through 2021. 

I am confident that Ms. Murray will be a strong source of support for the E. M. Baker administrative team, staff and students. Her experience will help ensure a smooth finish to the school year. 

Please join me in welcoming Ms. Murray to the E.M. Baker family. We look forward to the many exciting school activities scheduled in the coming months!

Warm regards,

Kenneth R. Bossert, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools

September 4, 2025

Dear GNPS Community,

Happy New Year to all! I write today to share with you some very positive observations of the first week of the 2025-26 school year. I was pleased to visit each of our school buildings throughout the first days of school. During my travels, I was overjoyed to see our students re-establishing routines, being met by our enthusiastic teachers, staff and administrators. Engaging lessons and activities were taking place as well as many “getting to know you” exercises. The smiles and “good vibes” were palatable as students had the opportunity to reunite with friends and begin to establish new, positive relationships.

Please allow me to provide you with a few reminders to be kept in mind:

1. All public schools across New York State have adopted a free breakfast and lunch program - available to all students. We encourage all students and families to maximize this opportunity as best meets their needs. Our food service staff works hard to provide many options to our students each day.
    
2. The cell phone ban directed by Governor Hochul has been adopted as policy throughout Great Neck Public Schools. We recognize that this is a substantive change and thank our students for the understanding and compliance they have demonstrated throughout the week. We are confident that this will remain the case. We appreciate the support our parents and community members have demonstrated as well.
    
3. We appreciate the patience and understanding our students and parents/community have demonstrated as our transportation services experience the typical start of school delays/challenges we see each year. We understand that some concerns have risen due to changes in bus stop locations and services provided. We regret any inconvenience and/or disruptions caused during this transitional time and offer our apologies to our students and their families/caregivers. Please know that our Transportation Department is working diligently (with extended hours) to address any and all concerns brought to their attention. Stops will be reviewed, routes may be modified, and times may be adjusted as the first few weeks of school take place in order to assist us in addressing concerns brought forward in an effort to maximize efficiencies. Please contact our Transportation Department at transportation@greatneck.k12.ny.us directly if concerns arise (if you have not done so already).
    
4. At the meeting of the Board of Education that took place on Thursday, August 28, the Board President made a statement on behalf of the Board. He indicated that the Board has engaged with legal counsel to investigate the appropriate process to follow to bring a transportation referendum (vote) to the community. It was explained, at this time we must follow all laws associated with transportation services and limits set forth by Great Neck residents, via a prior transportation referendum (vote) when it was last conducted in 1998. In the coming weeks, the community should anticipate a Transportation Informational Forum to be held and a ThoughtExchange (electronic survey) to be shared with all residents. Prior to any referendum to be conducted, the Board must first assess the various options available for modifying our current practices and the costs associated with doing so. The Board and Administration look forward to engaging with all stakeholders on this important topic. The safe and efficient transportation of all students, public and private, is of paramount importance to all.

Thank you again for your partnership in making this opening week such a special one throughout the Great Neck community. Please look forward to a short video highlighting some “sights and sounds” as week one draws to a close. It will be shared soon. Happy New Year!

Warm Regards,

Kenneth R. Bossert, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

August 18, 2025

Dear GNPS Community,

Welcome to the 2025–26 school year! I hope the summer months brought you well-deserved rest and meaningful time with family and friends. The beginning of a new school year always brings a sense of renewal, and I am confident the memories created over the summer will inspire the year ahead.

As I begin my third year as Superintendent—and my 31st in public education—I remain honored to lead Great Neck Public Schools. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting many members of our school community and witnessing firsthand the spirit and excellence that define GNPS. It has been a joy to watch our students grow and excel in so many ways these past two years. This year promises to be just as exciting, with our students continuing to shine academically, athletically, and artistically through countless celebrations of learning and achievement.

Over the summer, our staff worked diligently to prepare for a successful school opening. Instructional teams revised curriculum, integrated new technologies, and welcomed outstanding new colleagues and members of the district leadership team. Capital improvements like the South High School gymnasium and the North High School library, stand as a testament to our ongoing commitment to excellence across the curriculum. You'll also notice renewed school spirit across campuses, a reflection of our united GNPS identity.

As required by New York State Law, and Board of Education policy 5695 (Personal Electronic Communication Devices), all school buildings throughout GNPS will enforce a “bell to bell” ban on cellphones. As you have likely read in various media accounts, this was an initiative strongly supported by Governor Hochul over the last year (or more). The intent is to minimize the distraction of cell phone use during the instructional day.

While our practices will go mostly unchanged from Pre-K through grade 8, there will be some modifications at each of our high schools to meet the requirements of this new mandate/ban. Each of our principals will communicate with parents/guardians/students directly regarding storage of devices, how to contact students throughout the day, and the very small number of exceptions to the ban. We appreciate your partnership and patience as we attempt to make the accommodations necessary for compliance and to truly create distraction free learning spaces. We anticipate that there will be a learning curve/growing pains as we change our internal
practices—particularly at our high schools. 

We have applied for the very limited funding available from New York State to assist in the implementation of the cellphone ban. Once secured, these funds will be used for professional development/speakers to work to help students (and adults) understand the dangers of excess screen time, social media, and digital media literacy. The mental health and well-being of our students remains a primary focus throughout GNPS.

Looking ahead, we will continue advancing key initiatives, including our focus on News Media Literacy, K–8 literacy development, responsible AI use in classrooms, and Restorative Practices. We remain committed to anti-hate education and to celebrating the diversity that enriches our community.

Please continue to stay connected via our website, ParentSquare, social media (Facebook and Instagram), and livestreamed Board of Education meetings held at E.M. Baker. My personal account (should you care to follow) can be found on Instagram at: dr.bossert_great_neck_super and our hashtag - #DiscoverGreatness. Let’s continue working together to #DiscoverGreatness in all that we do!

I look forward to working with you to make the 2025–26 school year one to remember for all students. We look forward to collaborating with you to #DiscoverGreatness and continue the race for excellence.
 

Warm Regards,

Kenneth R. Bossert, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

June 30, 2025

Dear GNPS Community,

As we close the books on another outstanding school year, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to our students, families, faculty, and staff for their unwavering commitment to excellence. We had many opportunities to celebrate our students and staff this spring, from joyful traditions to award ceremonies, all leading up to our commencement exercises in June. 

We congratulate our graduates in the Class of 2025 and wish them well on the next step of their journey. As I told our seniors in my commencement address: No GPS will chart the course of your future perfectly, but your foundation in GNPS will surely take you as far as you wish to go.

Speaking of direction…One of the district’s many accomplishments this school year was our successful creation of the Portrait of a Great Neck Graduate. We partnered with Molloy University for a year-long effort to develop a framework outlining the specific skills, mindsets, and traits that our unique school community expects of our graduates. The final outcome represents the collective community vision to ensure our students are successful in life, no matter which path they pursue after high school graduation. Thank you to everyone who participated in this effort.

We are proud of all that our students have accomplished, both in and out of the classroom. Their dedication, curiosity and resilience continue to inspire us. I also want to recognize our educators and staff for the passion and professionalism they bring to their work each day, and our families for the vital role they play in supporting our schools.

As we head into summer, I encourage everyone to take time to rest, recharge, and enjoy moments with family and friends. Whether you're traveling, reading, exploring new interests, or simply relaxing, I hope this season brings you joy and renewal.

We look forward to welcoming students back on Tuesday, September 2, for what promises to be another exceptional year of learning and growth.

Wishing you a safe, happy, and well-deserved summer break!

Warm regards,

Kenneth R. Bossert, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

May 13, 2025

Dear GNPS Community,

Earlier this school year, the Board of Education and Administration made a commitment to our community that the district would fill building leadership vacancies before the start of the 2025–26 school year. I’m pleased to share that we have fulfilled this promise with the unanimous appointment of three outstanding individuals at last night’s Board of Education meeting.

Over the past several months, three separate search committees met with dozens of qualified applicants to find the best candidates for principal vacancies at North High and South High, as well as an upcoming assistant principal vacancy at North Middle. Our extensive interview process has yielded three exceptional individuals to carry forward our schools’ commitment to excellence.

The Board has appointed Corey McNamara as the next principal of John L. Miller-Great Neck North High School. Mr. McNamara comes to Great Neck from the Elwood School District, where he has served as a building administrator at the Blue Ribbon of Excellence award winning John H. Glenn High School since 2018—including four years as an assistant principal and most recently three years as building principal. Before arriving in Elwood, Mr. McNamara worked in the Valley Stream North Junior-Senior High School for 12 years as an interim assistant principal (2017–18), dean of students (2014–17), and health education teacher (2006–17). Mr. McNamara earned a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education from Long Island University C.W. Post, as well as a Master of Science in Health Education and a School Building and District Certification from Hofstra University. Mr. McNamara will officially join the district in July.

The next principal of William A. Shine-Great Neck South High School is a familiar face. Thomas DePaola, who served as an acting assistant principal at South from August through March of this school year—and who is currently serving as interim principal at North High—will return to the halls of South High as the principal in 2025–26. Mr. DePaola built a strong rapport with faculty and students alike during his time at South, and we look forward to his return to the building in July in a permanent capacity. Prior to his service in GNPS, Mr. DePaola served for 12 years as the principal of Carle Place Middle and High School. Mr. DePaola earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Siena College, a Master of Science in Teaching Biology from SUNY Binghamton, and a Master in Science in Educational Leadership and Administration from The College of St. Rose.

I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank Adam Hopkins, who has served as interim principal at South High this school year. Mr. Hopkins has provided outstanding leadership during this transition period, and he will continue to be a positive presence in the South High community as he returns to his position as assistant principal. 

Last but not least, the Board of Education has appointed an individual to fill the assistant principal vacancy at North Middle School following Nancy Gunning’s retirement this summer. After an extensive search, North Middle will welcome William Corrao to the leadership team in July. Mr. Corrao comes from the Three Village School District, where he served as an assistant principal at the middle school (2022–24) and high school (2024–present). While he will be new to North Middle, some members of the community may recognize Mr. Corrao from his five years as an English teacher at Great Neck North High School (2017–22). His prior teaching experience includes 13 years as an English Language Arts teacher at St. Anthony’s High School, and he has extensive coaching experience throughout his career. Mr. Corrao received his Bachelor of Arts in English from St. John’s University, and he earned his Master of Arts in Secondary Education and advanced certificates in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages), School Building Leadership, School District Leadership from Adelphi University.

On behalf of the Board of Education, I extend my appreciation to all the parents, faculty and administrators who served on our three search committees. These individuals dedicated countless hours to reviewing applications, meeting with candidates, and discussing the qualifications that would best match the needs of our school community. Thank you for your time and commitment. Additionally, thank you to all those students and parents who participated in our ThoughtExchange to identify the traits and characteristics desired in our candidates for these prestigious positions.  We are confident that we have found inspirational leaders who possess these highly regarded qualities. We look forward to creating introductory opportunities within each building as the start of the 2025–26 school year approaches. 

We are officially entering the “home stretch” of the 2024–25 school year, with many exciting activities and events to celebrate the achievements of students and staff. I look forward to seeing our staff, families and students at celebratory events in the weeks to come!

Warm regards, 
Kenneth R. Bossert, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

May 21, 2025

Dear GNPS Community,

Thank you to everyone who took the time to participate in yesterday’s Budget Vote and Board of Education Election. The strong approval of the proposed budget reflects clear community support for the spending plan developed by the Administration and endorsed by the Board. The final results were:

Yes: 1337 No: 320

As many of you know, the budget process began back in early fall. Last night’s outcome represents the result of months of thoughtful analysis, stakeholder input, board discussions, and community engagement. On behalf of the Board of Education, the District Administration, and myself—thank you for your support.

Voter approval of Proposition Two, which grants voter permission to pursue the construction of a synthetic field on the grounds of North Middle School, also passed at a rate of:

Yes: 1258     No: 418

Congratulations to Mrs. Peirez on her re-election to the Board of Education for a three-year term. We look forward to her continued work to support the students, staff and residents of GNPS. 

As I’ve often said during my time in Great Neck Public Schools: The race for excellence has no finish line. I look forward to continuing this journey with all of you. Together, we remain committed to preserving and enhancing the exceptional programs and opportunities that define GNPS. With your support, our students, faculty, and staff will continue to thrive and inspire.

There is much to celebrate in the coming weeks—we look forward to sharing those moments with you. On behalf of the Board of Education and the entire District Administration, thank you for your ongoing commitment to discovering greatness.

Warm regards,

Kenneth R. Bossert, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

March 3, 2025

Dear GNPS Community,

I hope this correspondence finds you well, having recently enjoyed some “down time” provided by the February recess.  Prior to the break, I shared with you the exciting news that our North High School Principal, Dr. Daniel Holtzman, will assume the role of Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Education beginning on March 17, 2025.

This personnel action requires that an Interim Principal be appointed at North High for the remainder of the 2024-25 school year. It is anticipated that the Board of Education will act to appoint Mr. Thomas DePaola to that position, effective March 17, 2025.  Mr. DePaola joined the GNPS team at the start of this school year, serving as Acting Assistant Principal at South High School.  Mr. DePaola previously served as High School Principal in the Carle Place School District, having very recently retired at the conclusion of the 2023-24 school year.  With a background in science and a diverse leadership skill set, Mr. DePaola has demonstrated his excellence in supporting our school community in many ways.  He has proven to be just the type of leader that our students, staff and community deserve.  He is extremely excited to take on the role of Interim Principal at North High School for the remainder of the 2024-25 school year.

Mr. DePaola’s shift from South High to North High creates a vacancy for an Acting Assistant Principal at South High.  It is, however, anticipated that the Board will appoint another outstanding veteran leader who has recently retired from serving as a high school principal in a nearby district.  I look forward to sharing that person’s background and experience following the formal appointment by the Board of Education on March 12, 2025.

As both of these Interim/Acting positions are temporary in nature (through the end of the school year), we are also currently conducting processes to identify the most outstanding individuals to fill each of our administrative vacancies prior to the start of the 2025-26 school year.  I have every confidence that these rigorous processes will result in dynamic leaders focused on assisting our continued “race for excellence”.

In the coming days, both high school students and parents will receive an invitation to participate in an online survey using our ThoughtExchange platform.  Within the exchange, stakeholders will have the opportunity to describe the traits and characteristics they perceive to be the most essential in helping to identify our next team of building leaders.  We hope that you will take the time to participate in this important part of the search process.

The last several weeks have given us much to celebrate throughout GNPS.  We look forward to doing more of the same as our calendar crawls ever closer to spring!

Warm Regards,

Kenneth R. Bossert, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

February 14, 2025

Dear GNPS Community,

I’m pleased to announce the successful conclusion of a comprehensive and thorough selection process to hire our next Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Education, following the retirement of Dr. Stephen C. Lando. 

Two months ago, the district convened a selection committee composed of parent leaders, faculty members, and administrators to fill this important position. The committee conducted an extremely rigorous process with many highly qualified individuals from throughout the surrounding region to find the best candidate for our district.

At a special meeting last night, the Board of Education unanimously supported the recommendation to appoint Dr. Dan Holtzman as Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Education. 

Dr. Holtzman has served as the principal of Great Neck North High School since 2017. Over the past eight years, he has proven himself as a leader who collaborates not only with the North High community, but with fellow administrators and staff districtwide to provide outstanding educational programs to benefit the students of Great Neck. 

In addition to his professional responsibilities in our district, Dr. Holtzman currently serves as president of the Nassau County High School Principals Association. This past year, he was selected as a scholarship recipient to attend the Nobel Prize Teacher Summit in Stockholm, Sweden, and he was awarded the NYS Education Department’s Louis E. Yavner Teaching Award for his contributions to education about the Holocaust and other violations of human rights. Just this week, Dr. Holtzman was notified that he is the 2025 Empire State Supervisors and Administrators Association Nassau/Suffok Region Administrator of the Year for his “tireless efforts on behalf of students and staff”.

Dr. Holtzman’s career in education spans 28 years, including 20 years as an administrator. Prior to joining the Great Neck Public Schools in 2017, Dr. Holtzman was principal of Shoreham-Wading River High School for nine years and assistant principal for two. He also served one year as assistant principal at William Floyd High School. Dr. Holtzman began his career in education as a social studies teacher, then advanced to instructional specialist for curriculum, grades 9–12, both in the Smithtown Central School District.

Dr. Holtzman earned his Doctoral degree in educational administration and supervision from St. John’s University. He received a Master of Liberal Arts and Sciences and a Bachelor of Arts in social sciences both from Stony Brook University State University of New York. He was a Future Superintendent’s Academy Fellow and holds permanent New York State certification in School District Administration and Social Studies Grades 7–12.

Dr. Holtzman will start in his new role on March 17, 2025. I’d like to take this opportunity to again recognize Dr. Lando for his 17 years of service to our district and thank him for assisting with the administrative transition over the coming months. 

The search for the next dynamic leader to serve as principal of North High School will begin immediately following our return from break. We are committed to providing our students, faculty and community with the best possible candidate for this important role within our school district. 

I wish all our staff and families a happy Valentine’s Day and a restful Winter Recess. Enjoy the break and stay warm! We look forward to seeing you again when school reopens on February 24. 

Warm regards, 

Kenneth R. Bossert, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

January 2, 2025

Dear GNPS Community,

I hope everyone enjoyed a happy holiday and a rejuvenating recess.  We certainly missed seeing all of our students, faculty and staff over such an extended period!  May 2025 bring good health and happiness to your home and family. 

As we resume our daily school routines in the new year, I’d like to take this opportunity to remind you to participate in two important and exciting ongoing initiatives:

On Monday, January 6, the UPTC will host a General Meeting with a focus on the district’s news media literacy initiative.  This event will feature Professor Howard Schneider, Executive Director of the Center for News Literacy at Stony Brook University, to speak about Separating Fact From Fiction in the news.  Please join us on Monday evening at 7:30 p.m. in the South High School library.  See the flyer below for details.  Professor Schneider has been met with rave reviews when engaging with faculty and staff and we are fortunate to have the opportunity to share his wisdom and insights with parents and community members.

Additionally, we continue to seek community input in the first stage of our Portrait of a Graduate project.  The initial Thought Exchange survey, which launched during our kick-off webinar in December, remains open through January 17.  The entire GNPS community is encouraged to take this brief survey: https://tejoin.com/scroll/217910524  Your voice matters — we would love to hear from you!

Please be aware that President Biden has declared Thursday, January 9 as a National Day of Mourning to honor the passing of former President Jimmy Carter.  All Schools will recognize the occasion by lowering flags to half-staff for a 30-day period by order of Governor Hochul.  In addition, a special remembrance passage will be shared with all students on that day and a brief moment of silence observed.  It is important to note that all schools will be open and in session on January 9. 

Thank you for your participation in these initiatives and your continued support of all our exceptional programs in the Great Neck Public Schools.  We have much to look forward to in 2025 as we continue the race for excellence. 

December 11, 2024

Dear GNPS Community,

Happy holiday season to all. As you are aware, the GNPS Administration and Board of Education have been closely monitoring all aspects of the New York State Education Department (NYSED) Regionalization planning. Please recall that all relevant information regarding this initiative can be found on the district’s website linked here.

At tonight’s public meeting of the Board of Education (7:30 p.m. at E.M. Baker Elementary Auditorium), it is anticipated that the Board of Education will take action to approve the following resolution:

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, on September 9, 2024, the New York State Board of Regents approved, by emergency adoption, the addition of Part 124 and Subpart 124-2 to Subchapter E of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education relating to regionalization plans (“Regionalization Regulations”); and

WHEREAS, at its December 9, 2024 meeting, the New York State Board of Regents approved the Regionalization Regulations for final adoption, as amended (“the Amended Regionalization Regulations”); and

WHEREAS, the Amended Regionalization Regulations added a new Section 124-2.8 titled “Non-Participation” which provides a mechanism for a school district to elect not to participate in the development of a regionalization plan by notifying the New York State Education Department’s Office of Education Policy of such election, in writing, by no later than January 15, 2025, and every ten years thereafter; and

WHEREAS, at the December 9th Board of Regents meeting, the New York State Education Department representatives further asserted that notification electing not to participate under the Amended Regionalization Regulations constitutes an opt-out of the regionalization process without penalty, including the development and implementation of a regionalization plan; and

WHEREAS, the Great Neck Union Free School District strongly opposes any initiative that jeopardizes local control of our schools, or redistributes taxpayer dollars and resources to other jurisdictions; and

WHEREAS, the forced acceptance of students from other districts or directed partnerships with other schools do not serve the needs of our community; and

WHEREAS, the maintenance of complete and total local control of all district operations is of paramount importance to the Board of Education and Administration, and in the best interests of the Great Neck School community; and
 
WHEREAS, upon due consideration of the Amended Regionalization Regulations, the Great Neck Union Free School District will not participate in the development of a regionalization plan or any aspect of a regionalization plan.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that in accordance with the foregoing, the Great Neck Union Free School District exercises its election not to participate in the development of a regionalization plan or any aspect of such plan; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Superintendent of Schools shall provide written notification of said election to not participate in a regionalization plan to the New York State Department’s Office of Education Policy prior to January 15, 2025.

In short, what this means is that the Board of Education and Administration of GNPS will notify NYSED of our intention to opt-out of all aspects of the Regionalization initiative. Our collective desire to maintain local control and do what is best for this community remains steadfast. A  letter, from my office, will be sent to the Commissioner of Education well ahead of the January 15, 2025 deadline to notify officials of this decision.

We appreciate all members of the community who have taken the time to remain informed on this and other important matters that impact our school community. We thank those who have communicated concerns, questions and comments on this topic over the last several weeks. Please enjoy the remaining school days prior to our holiday break.

Warm Regards,

Kenneth Bossert, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

November 26, 2024

Dear GNPS Community,

Happy Thanksgiving to all.  Over the last several weeks, you have received a number of correspondences from me and the Board of Education regarding the New York State Education Department’s (NYSED) Regionalization initiative.  The topic of Regionalization has also been widely reported in various forms of media and communications from elected officials throughout our region.

A consistent message received from both the Board of Education and Administration of the Great Neck Public Schools is the insistence that local control is maintained and that any/all initiatives regarding Regionalization be optional (with no penalty).  This is what the Board of Education clearly indicated to the community both in writing and at the public meeting held on November, 13, 2024.

Just before 1 p.m. today, my office received an official communication from the New York State Commissioner of Education, Betty Rosa.  It is attached for your reference.  Within the communication, the Commissioner makes it clear that all aspects of the NYSED Regionalization initiative are, in fact, voluntary, with the decision to participate (or not) up to locally elected school boards.  This authority includes the participation in the planning process (survey response) previously discussed in prior communications.  Based upon all prior communications and public discussions, it is anticipated that the Board will direct the Administration to decline any and all participation in the Regionalization study.  As Superintendent of Schools, I will gladly comply and advise NYSED of such.

We appreciate all of the residents who came forward to express their thoughts, opinions and concerns regarding this NYSED initiative.  You were heard.  Our Board has been heard.  The Administration has been heard.  NYSED has responded, directly. 

Warm Regards, 

Kenneth R. Bossert, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

November 1, 2024

Dear GNPS Community,

It is difficult to believe that we have entered November!  I hope those who celebrated had an enjoyable Halloween (so many great costumes were observed throughout GNPS yesterday) and happy Diwali to all those observing.  May the festival of lights bring love and laughter to your homes.

Earlier this week, I provided an update to the community regarding the New York State Education Department’s (NYSED) Regionalization Initiative.  My update can be found on the homepage of the district website linked here. 

Since that time, I have received a number of questions seeking additional clarification regarding this NYSED initiative.  I am happy to provide as much additional information as possible.  The Board of Education and district administration share the goal of being as transparent as possible with all matters that may impact our district, region or state. 

Along with members of the Board of Education, I had the opportunity to join colleagues and board members in an informational webinar hosted by the Nassau-Suffolk School Boards Association (N-SSBA) on Tuesday night.  The webinar has since been recorded and posted to the N-SSBA website.  

The 90-minute presentation/Q&A was hosted by N-SSBA’s Executive Director, Mr. Bob Vecchio, and featured a presentation made by NYSED’s Senior Deputy Commissioner for Education Policy, Dr. Jeffrey Matteson, and Mr. David Frank, Assistant Commissioner.  A link to the webinar is linked here for ease of reference.  As a PowerPoint presentation was used to guide the NYSED presentation, I felt you may prefer to review it in isolation.  It is linked here for your convenience.

Lastly, NYSED has recently published an FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) document relating to regionalization.  It can be found here.

As indicated in my previous communication, I will provide an update to the Board of Education and community members present at the upcoming November 13, 2024 business meeting (7:45 pm at E.M. Baker).  Should there be any substantive updates prior to the meeting, I will be pleased to advise the community.

Have a wonderful weekend – don’t forget to reset your clocks on Sunday and enjoy the extra hour of sleep (if you happen to be a Yankees fan, I am quite certain you need it). 

Warm regards,
Kenneth R. Bossert, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

October 28, 2024

Dear GNPS Community,

I hope this correspondence finds you well.  It has been brought to my attention from some concerned residents that information related to a New York State Education Department (NYSED) initiative called "Regionalization" has been shared widely on social media and has, understandably, created some concern within the GNPS community.  It is important to note that the document circulating was not created by NYSED, BOCES, or any district official. 

Nassau BOCES has also become aware of these social media posts.  While this is an initiative from NYSED, it will be led by each regional BOCES (in our case Nassau BOCES) and they are best equipped to address the matter directly.  On Friday afternoon, every Long Island Superintendent and School Board President received a letter drafted by the District Superintendents of the Nassau, Western Suffolk and Eastern Suffolk BOCES (which was vetted by NYSED) that stated the following:

This communication is necessary in light of recent social media posts and flyers suggesting that the goal of the initiative is to cede control of Long Island’s schools to the BOCES. That is patently false and would require the adoption of legislation radically changing over one hundred years of law. To be clear: this initiative is simply about fostering informed local decision making, partnerships, and support for individual districts – with the goal of ensuring that students have access to the educational opportunities they need for success in school and beyond. The initiative will provide a platform for local education leaders to discuss and convey to NYSED the strategies and actions they will take to ensure equitable learning opportunities for all students, and the resources they will need to achieve this goal. It will also create a direct line for individual and cooperating local districts to provide input as the State develops its legislative and budget priorities. Schools and districts may also use these planning conversations to identify and explore existing opportunities within the region.

While every public school district is required to work in partnership with NYSED and the BOCES in their region, I can assure you that my first priority is to offer the best possible educational opportunities to the students within the Great Neck Public Schools.  Having now attended several meetings regarding the NYSED Regionalization Study, I believe that the initiative is intended to benefit underperforming schools as well as schools who are struggling to secure the resources necessary to meet with success.  New York is a very large, diverse state and this study is a state-wide initiative.  The challenges we face in Great Neck are different from some of our rural communities in Western New York (as an example).  In one recent informational session, the work GNPS is engaged in to support anti-hate initiatives was used as an example of intellectual sharing that could assist other districts looking to implement similar programs. 

The current requirement regarding regionalization for GNPS is to complete a survey developed by NYSED.  Within the survey, we will share our successes and identify any challenges that either current funding, legislation or regulations have raised.  I do not anticipate any large scale impact to our operations (if any at all) based on the data collecting requirement.  There has been no call (or even suggestion) of combining/merging with other districts, sharing our human or financial resources or anything of that nature (as a small number of parents have reached out to inquire about). 

Detailed information regarding this NYSED initiative can be found via their website HERE.

As with other matters, I will continue to keep the Board of Education and community informed of any developments.  I have been asked by the Board to provide an update regarding NYSED’s Regionalization study at the upcoming November 13 meeting (7:45 p.m. at E.M. Baker Elementary’s Auditorium). 

I hope the beginning portion of the school year has brought much joy and opportunity for celebration to your homes and families.  As we move forward through the remainder of our school year, I am quite certain additional opportunities will be plentiful throughout GNPS!

Sincerely,

Kenneth R. Bossert, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

October 7, 2024

Dear GNPS Community,

May this letter find you well, healthy and safe.  I am hopeful that this past, long weekend provided you with an opportunity to engage with family and friends.  For those who celebrated, happy New Year (Shana Tova). 

This morning, throughout all of our buildings, a developmentally/age-appropriate statement was read to our students following the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance.  The secondary message read as follows:

Today, we pause to reflect on the tragic event that occurred on October 7th of last year.  On this day, a series of terrorist attacks were carried out by the group Hamas against civilians in Israel.  These attacks resulted in significant loss of life and the taking of hostages, and has deeply impacted many families and communities - particularly, within Great Neck.

As we remember those affected by these unspeakable acts of violence, it's important for us as a school community to think about the values of peace, empathy, and respect we can foster within our school and local community that is inclusive and accepting of all people.  In times of conflict, understanding, resolve and compassion are more critical attributes to demonstrate than ever.

At this time, I ask that we take a moment to consider how we can start making contributions to a more peaceful world, both in our interactions here at school and in the wider community.  The power of one should not be underestimated and the power of the group is limitless.

Thank you for your attention and reflection.

Our elementary students heard a similar message as well as a poem titled: “Peace in our Hand”. 

Please be reminded that this afternoon, at 5 p.m. on the North Middle School track field on Arrandale Avenue, the North High School Jewish Student Union is hosting a remembrance and hope event.  It is open to all Great Neck residents.  We are hopeful that this event will help to bring our community together in a time of mourning for those who have been lost.  We hope to see you there.

Sincerely,

Kenneth R. Bossert, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

September 18, 2024

Dear GNPS Parents/Guardians,

The Nassau County Police Department has been tracking a nationwide school threat  circulating via social media which references a series of escalating incidents. This threat has impacted multiple states. Recently, it began circulating in our region. The origin has been repeatedly investigated and was found to be non-credible.

This morning we were made aware of this previously identified threat  circulating amongst some of our students (concentrated largely at South Middle, Grade 7) on social media, specifically, SnapChat. We have been in contact with our partners in law enforcement. They are continuing to investigate this matter, however it is critical to understand that there were no specific threats made to any Great Neck school building.

Please rest assured that we take all matters of safety and security very seriously. We are working closely with our district security team, led by Mr. William Castoro, in partnership with both our local law enforcement agencies and the Nassau County Police Department of Homeland Security to ensure the safety of all students and staff. Thank you for your understanding and continued support.

I commend our students who brought this matter to our attention this morning. We encourage all students, parents, staff and residents to: “See something, say something.” This is exactly what our students did – we applaud them, and are thankful the threat has been deemed to be non-credible.

Please use this opportunity to speak to your child about the safe use of all social media platforms and reinforce the “see something, say something” approach. It truly does “take a village” — we have a strong one.

Sincerely,

Kenneth R. Bossert, Ed. D.
Superintendent of Schools

August 20, 2024

Dear GNPS Community,

Welcome to the 2024-25 school year. I hope that the summer months have allowed you to spend time with family and friends engaging in all of the activities that make this time of year a special one, and that the memories are cherished ones that will last throughout our upcoming school year.

Having now completed my first year as Superintendent of GNPS (and beginning my 30th year as an educator), I have had the honor and pleasure to meet and engage with many of you. For those who I have not yet been as fortunate to meet, I hope the coming school year provides ample opportunities to do so. The 2024-25 calendar is most certainly filled with many occasions to come together in celebration of our students. We look forward to a year filled with academic achievement, athletic competition, music, drama, the visual arts, and all of the other co-curricular activities that make GNPS such an exceptional place for students to learn and grow.

While our students were not in attendance, the administration, faculty, clerical staff, custodial, and buildings/grounds crew steadily worked to ensure the smooth opening of our schools for the 2024-25 school year. Our instructional staff, including some exceptional new members of the faculty and administration, has been diligent in preparing lesson plans, revising curriculum, examining new programs, and technology integration initiatives. You will also note the successful completion of several, wonderful capital projects (such as Science labs at NMS and NHS) across the District, while others remain ongoing (Baker extension) in an effort to best meet the needs of our learning community. You will also note some new “spirit” throughout the campuses as we celebrate the unity of our GNPS school community.

As we continue the “race for excellence” in 2024-25, our professional development opportunities will focus on the continued investment in News Media Literacy, careful examination of the K-8 Literacy Program, effective uses of Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) in an instructional setting, exploration of Restorative Practices to enhance and improve student discipline strategies, just to name a few. We will also continue to focus on anti-hate initiatives and celebrate the diversities that exist within our exceptional community. Please look forward to reading more about these initiatives in District newsletters, on our newly redesigned website, through ParentSquare notifications and other forms of communication. We will also continue to use our Thought Exchange platform to elicit feedback and increase engagement with parents and community. We look forward to your participation.

Once again, please refer to our website and district social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram) to stay updated regarding all school activities. In addition, please consider following me on X (formerly Twitter) to gain some additional information and insight about what is happening in both our district and the educational community. My account can be found at Dr.Bossert@GreatNeck_Super and our hashtag - #DiscoverGreatness

As previously mentioned, please recall that the monthly meetings of the Board of Education will now take place exclusively at E.M. Baker elementary in the beautifully constructed auditorium. We hope this provides the GNPS community with an optimal experience when attending our meetings in person or viewing from home via livestream (link found on our website). The Board of Education is excited to continue to recognize outstanding students and staff as we progress throughout the school year. We hope you will join us.

I look forward to working with you to make the 2024-25 school year one to remember for all students. We look forward to collaborating with you to #DiscoverGreatness.

Warm Regards,

Kenneth R. Bossert, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

July 30, 2024

Dear GNPS Community,

I hope this correspondence finds you well enjoying all of the opportunities that the summer provides.  I write to update you regarding some important actions taken at the public meeting of the Board of Education that took place last night.

As previously indicated, it was a priority of the administration and the Board of Education to begin the school year with a fully assembled leadership team in place at South High School.  At last night’s meeting, the Board of Education unanimously approved the appointment of two dynamic leaders to fill the vacant Assistant Principal positions at South High School. 

Mr. Michael DiPasquale was appointed to the role vacated by Ms. Rory Parnell (who now serves as the Principal of Mineola High School).  Mr. DiPasquale has spent his entire 24-year career in the Great Neck Public Schools, including 18 years as a science teacher at North Middle before becoming the science department head at South High in 2018.  During that time, he was recognized as a New York State Master Teacher and demonstrated the ability to form positive relationships with all stakeholders to help all students reach their full potential.  Mr. DiPasquale is a dynamic, student-first educator who will bring a wealth of insight and enthusiasm to this new role within South High.

As you know, Mr. Adam Hopkins was previously appointed Interim Principal.  Therefore, he is on leave of absence from the Assistant Principal position he once held.  During this transitional time, the Board and Administration agreed that identifying an experienced, veteran leader with a history of success would be the best way to support the students, faculty and staff while providing Mr. Hopkins with the assistance he needs to meet and exceed the goals set for the coming school year.  

With this in mind, the Board of Education unanimously approved the appointment of Acting Assistant Principal, Mr. Thomas DePaola.  Mr. DePaola comes to GNPS with 12 years of experience as the High School Principal in the Carle Place School District, having very recently retired at the conclusion of the 2023-24 school year.  With a background in science and a diverse leadership skill set, Mr. DePaola will be a true asset to all within South High during his time with us. 

Please join me in welcoming these two exceptional individuals to the GNPS leadership team.  We hope that you remain healthy and safe as we continue to enjoy the summer season.  Please anticipate further communication regarding the start of the 2024-25 school year as the summer progresses towards September.

Warm Regards,

Kenneth R. Bossert, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools