Board of Education President Ken Cummings made the long-awaited announcement of naming the new superintendent of the Valley Stream Central High School District (V.S.C.H.S.D) at the June Board of Education meeting.
Before naming the new superintendent, Cummings explained the process, which allowed parents to give their opinion of who they would like to see as their new school chief.
There were a total of 32 applicants, which was then narrowed down to four semi-finalists, who were interviewed by the Board of Education. It came down to two finalists and after numerous rounds of interviews they decided upon Dr. William Heidenreich.
Heidenreich held the position of assistant superintendent for Personnel and Administration for seven years and will become the new superintendent starting July 1.
Before coming to V.S.C.H.S.D, Heidenreich was the director of Instructional and Technology Services for the Bellmore-Merrick School District. He started his education career at in the Bethpage School District as a social studies teacher.
He received his Bachelor of Arts from Brown University, Master of Science in instructional technology from NYIT, a Professional Diploma in School District Administration from Long Island University and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the Teachers College of Columbia University.
He's also served as president of the Long Island Association of School Personnel Administrators for the past school year and has been recognized by the New York State Council of School Superintendents and American Association of School Administrators for his work as a school leader.
“I look forward to continuing the relationship I have with the district, and I accept and look forward to the challenges ahead," Dr. Heidenreich stated.
Dr. Heidenreich currently resides in Merrick, with his wife Suzanne, a Manhattan-based fashion designer, and two daughters Kate and Amy, ages nine and seven. He also enjoys exercising and has completed 11 marathons.
All the members of the Board of Education and administration, including Interim Superintendent Richard Marsh expressed that Dr. Heidenreich is the right choice for this position and will continue to lead the district in the correct direction.
Dr. Heidenreich signed a 3-year contract that starts on July 1, 2011 and goes through June 30, 2014. He will earn an annual salary of $200,000.
