Dear Oyster Bay-East Norwich School Community,

I hope this message finds you well. As always, I am deeply grateful for your continued trust and support of our schools and for your partnership in ensuring a successful start to the 2024-25 school year. As your superintendent, I want to take a moment to address some of the recent changes within our district. We understand that transitions in administration can raise concerns, and I want to assure you that we are listening.

Over the past several years, we have taken the opportunity to restructure our leadership system. This new structure places greater emphasis on direct supervision by our principals and central office, ensuring that we have a unified vision and consistent implementation of our mission. We are also aligning our supervision more closely with the specific needs of elementary and secondary education, allowing us to better serve our students at every level.

Most recently, our Board of Education appointed Dr. Patrick Harrigan as our new Executive Director for Curriculum and Instruction, beginning November 1st. Dr. Harrigan has most recently served as the superintendent of the Half Hollow Hills School District since 2017. His many years of experience as a trusted and respected school leader adds great value to our team and aligns with our district's commitment to academic excellence.

Dr. Harrigan’s expertise in developing innovative instructional strategies and his passion for fostering an inclusive, student-centered learning environment will play a key role in advancing our educational goals. We look forward to the positive impact he will have on both our staff and students. I hope you will join me in extending a warm welcome to him as he begins with our district next month.

As we move forward, I am confident that the administrative team we now have in place, coupled with the ongoing work of our dedicated faculty and staff, will only enhance our educational programs and help us continue to provide the supportive, high-quality learning environment that our students deserve.

The district has embraced new leadership opportunities, reinforcing our commitment to the highest-quality education to all students. I am proud to share that our district has remained steadfast in maintaining the initiatives implemented over the past four years. These efforts have allowed us to continuously improve the learning experiences of our students. Importantly, even as many districts across Long Island have faced difficult budget cuts, we are proud to have enhanced our programs and maintained our staffing levels.

This speaks to our unwavering commitment to maintaining the integrity of our educational staff and ensuring stability for our students.

It is also important to note that, while our district receives minimal state aid compared to others, we continue to excel in terms of student success. Our graduation rate has surged from 88% to 100% in just four years, and the percentage of students scoring a 3 or higher on AP exams has increased from 62% in 2021 to 77% in 2024. College acceptance rates have also risen, further reflecting the outstanding achievements of our students.

I am also thrilled to share that Oyster Bay-East Norwich has recently seen a significant improvement in its Niche.com ranking of best school districts in New York State, improving from No. 146 in the State in 2022 to No. 42 this year. This achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire community— our teachers, staff, students and families.

Thanks also to the community's support of the voter-approved bond, we have made significant capital improvements to our buildings in recent years. These enhancements at each of our schools have not only improved the safety and functionality of our schools, but also expanded educational opportunities for our students. These investments have a direct impact on student success, providing an enriched learning environment that supports their growth and achievement.

Thank you for your continued support of our district. Together, we will ensure that Oyster Bay-East Norwich remains a place of excellence for all students!

Sincerely,
Dr. Francesco Ianni
Superintendent of Schools