Superintendent Announces Retirement; Board Appoints New Superintendent Effective Sept. 2015
On Jan. 12, the Copiague School District Board of Education accepted the resignation for the purposes of retirement of Superintendent of Schools Charles A. Leunig, effective Aug. 31, 2015, while simultaneously appointing Associate Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Bannon as his successor.
During Mr. Leunig’s seven years as superintendent, Copiague’s Regents Diploma rate rose to 93%, the Advanced Placement Program was nationally recognized by the College Board three times in the last five years, including being named Small School District of the Year in 2012, and student academic, athletic and extracurricular programs were expanded, with the inclusion of a science research program at the high school and middle school.
He joined the Copiague School District in 1994, serving as the Director of Personnel, Assistant Superintendent for Personnel and Administrative Services and Deputy Superintendent before being named Superintendent of School in 2008.
The Board of Education considered their options regarding the selection of the next superintendent, carefully analyzing the professional qualities and personal characteristics that would be ideal to lead Copiague into the future. Following many internal discussions, the Board decided the clear candidate was already serving the district, and unanimously voted to appoint Dr. Bannon to the position of Superintendent of Schools, effective Sept. 1, 2015. By appointing Dr. Bannon, who has worked closely with Mr. Leunig in her role as a central administrator, the Board continues to ensure the stability of the District.
Dr. Bannon began her teaching career in the Brentwood School District, working 11 years as a classroom teacher at North Elementary School. She joined Copiague in 1998 as an Administrative Assistant to the Principal at Deauville Gardens Elementary School. Following a year as an elementary school principal in the Valley Stream UFSD #13, Dr. Bannon returned to Copiague in 2001 to serve as Principal of the Great Neck Road Elementary until her promotion to Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction in 2005. She was appointed to Associate Superintendent in 2012.
Dr. Bannon holds a Bachelor of Arts in comparative history from SUNY Old Westbury, a Master of Science in elementary education from Dowling College, a professional diploma in educational administration from Dowling, and a doctorate in educational administration from St. John’s University.
“The Board of Education takes great pride in our ability to hire from within to fill management positions with the district,” said Board of Education President Brian J. Sales. “We are fortunate to once again find an exceptional candidate within the ranks of our current administration to lead our district into the future. We thank Mr. Leunig for his years of service and tireless efforts on the part of the students, staff and community of Copiague and look forward to working closely with Dr. Bannon during these challenging times for education in New York.”
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