Kenneth Bossert named Great Neck schools superintendent
Elwood schools Superintendent Kenneth Bossert will take over as chief of the Great Neck school district in August. Credit: Barry Sloan
Kenneth Bossert, superintendent of the Elwood school district in Suffolk County and a veteran educator on Long Island, was named superintendent of Great Neck schools Wednesday night at a board of education meeting.
Bossert replaces Superintendent Teresa Prendergast, whose death was announced Sunday evening and who was set to retire. For the past eight years, Prendergast, 60, served as superintendent for the district of about 6,600 students. She has been remembered by the district for her commitment to her students.
The Great Neck board had launched a search for a new superintendent earlier this school year. At their meeting Wednesday night, the board voted unanimously to approve Bossert's appointment.
Bossert's five-year term begins Aug. 1 and ends July 31, 2028.
In a statement Wednesday, Bossert, 51, said, “It is with great pride and tremendous humility that I prepare to assume the post as Superintendent of Schools and Instructional Leader of the Great Neck Public Schools.
"I appreciate the confidence demonstrated by the Board of Education and look forward to partnering with all stakeholders upon my arrival on August 1," he said. "I join the community in mourning the loss of Dr. Prendergast, a cherished colleague that will be missed by all. My thoughts and prayers are with her family, friends, and the entire Great Neck School community as we grieve.”
Bossert wrote to the Elwood community Tuesday that he had “mixed emotions” about leaving the district where he has served as superintendent since 2016. Before that, he served as superintendent of the Port Jefferson school district.
He wrote that his seven years in Elwood have been “extremely rewarding.”
“I thank you for the opportunity to have served this wonderful community and interact with your children each day. It has been an honor,” he wrote.
In a note to the community, Great Neck school officials said that the process to find the next superintendent of schools was initiated by the board in January after Prendergast announced her intention to retire.
The Board had hired District Wise Search Consultants for the search and the process included community input from various stakeholder groups, as well as extensive evaluation of highly qualified candidates.
"The Board has confidence that Dr. Bossert possesses the qualities we sought to lead our beloved school community and to continue the traditions of kindness and excellence which Dr. Prendergast guarded with fidelity," the note said.
Bossert has served as president of the Suffolk County School Superintendents Association and is on the executive committee of the New York State Council of School Superintendents.
Robert Lowry, deputy director of the New York State Council of School Superintendents, said Bossert will become a statewide officer of the association starting with the next school year.
"He is always among the first to step up when we ask our leaders for ideas on issues or to help a colleague," Lowry said.
Before his time at Port Jefferson, Bossert worked in the Three Village school district as assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, after holding several other roles there.
The Great Neck board had appointed Assistant Superintendent Stephen C. Lando as interim superintendent a day after the district announced the death of Prendergast.
The district also announced arrangements for Prendergast earlier this week. Visitation is planned for Thursday and Friday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. at Flinch & Bruns Funeral Home, 34 Hempstead Ave. in Lynbrook. A funeral Mass is planned for Saturday at 9:45 a.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Roman Catholic Church, 65 Wright Ave., Malverne.
Joie Tyrrell is a Long Island native and covers education for Newsday, where she has worked since 1998.
