The East Williston Board of Education voted unanimously last Wednesday night to appoint Elaine Kanas, superintendent of schools for Valley Stream District 30, as the East Williston School District’s new superintendent of schools.
Kanas will be replacing Lorna Lewis, who was appointed superintendent of the Plainview–Old Bethpage Central School District early last month. Lewis finishes her tenure on July 31, completing five years as superintendent of the school district
At the special June 6 meeting, East Williston School Board President Mark Kamberg said Kanas had a record of “strong fiscal management and oversight” in the Valley Stream district that resulted “in maintaining and enhancing program while continuing to be responsive to community fiscal restraints through increased efficiencies.”
The school board received 40 applications for the positions, Kamberg said, and interviewed more than 10 of the applicants that applied. It brought two of the applicants back for final interviews with each of the district’s representative constituent groups, including community members, administration and teaching staff.
Kamberg noted that Kanas currently sits on the state Education Department ELA Advisory Panel grades pre K-12 and is a member of the Nassau Superintendents Curriculum Council, the Nassau County Council of School Superintendents executive board and is currently the leader of the Nassau County Southwest Quadrant of Superintendents.
Kamberg said Kanas had also worked on her district’s Annual Professional Performance Review committee to develop standards for teacher and administrator evaluation. He said Kanas had also overseen development of “enriched literacy, math and science curriculums” and “enhanced arts opportunities” in Valley Stream District 30.
“Under her leadership, we look forward to working collaboratively in making our great district even better,” Kamberg said.
After the board voted on her appointment, Kamberg introduced Kanas and the meeting was briefly suspended for a reception to enable residents to meet her.
Last Thursday, Kamberg accompanied Kanas on an informal tour of the district’s schools with the respective principals of each school.
When Kamberg revealed her as East Williston’s choice to succeed Lewis recently, Kanas said she was eager to take on the new role.
“I really like the opportunity to work in a small school district where you can know the children and the families all the way through the schools,” Kanas said. “It’s a community that really supports its schools. It’s all about the teachers, the community and the board working together. That’s the sort of community I’m very excited to be a part of.”
Kanas had been assistant superintendent of instruction and personnel at the Carmel Central School District in Putnam County for five years before taking her current post in Valley Stream.
Before working in the Carmel school district, Kanas was principal of the Siwanoy Elementary School in the Pelham Public Schools in Westchester County.
Kanas has also been a professor at Columbia University, the College of New Rochelle, and Manhattan College, and held several administrative positions in school districts in upstate New York and New York City.
Kanas received her doctor of education in curriculum and teaching from Columbia University, a master of fine arts degree from the University of Minnesota, and a bachelor of science from Skidmore College.
She has been published in a range of educational publications, including the Scholastic Press “Instructor Magazine” and the National Council of Teachers of English “Primary Voices K-6” publication.
The board began its search for new superintendent immediately upon learning of Lewis’s appointment to her new job in early April.
