Former GN schools chief hired by Syosset

Dan Glaun

Former Great Neck Public Schools Superintendent Ronald Friedman has been named the interim superintendent of the Syosset public school district, following the resignation and retirement of Syosset’s longtime leader Carole Hankin.

Friedman, who according to his LinkedIn profile headed Great Neck’s schools from 2004 through 2009 and the Long Beach district from 1999 to 2004, was appointed Tuesday following a unanimous school board vote. 

He will serve as a caretaker for Syosset’s schools until June 30, 2014, or potentially earlier should the district find a permanent leader mid-year, Syosset board of education President Michael Cohen said.

“He’s a lovely, lovely person. He presents himself incredibly well and makes those around him feel quite comfortable,” Cohen said of Friedman, adding that the board had received glowing recommendations of Friedman during the selection process. “There’s no expectation of him coming in and changing the world. That’s not what this is about.”

Great Neck Board of Education President Barbara Berkowitz, who served on the school board during Friedman’s tenure as Great Neck’s superintendent, praised Friedman as an open, well organized and inclusive leader who had introduced innovative programs to the district.

“We congratulate the Syosset school district for hiring Dr. Friedman as an interim superintendent as we know that the vast knowledge, team-building approach and enthusiasm he brings to the position will guide them well as they conduct their search for a permanent leader,” Berkowitz wrote in an e-mail.

Friedman will earn a dollar per day through the end of this year, when he will begin draw $20,000 per month – what Cohen described as a median salary for Nassau County superintendents.

“He said, you know what I really just want to give back. I enjoy this, it’s a wonderful district,” Cohen said.

Hankin was the second-highest-paid school superintendent in the state, earning $506,000 in total compensation including $405,244 in salary.

Her salary and her forceful leadership style cast a sometimes-unwanted spotlight on the Syosset school district. 

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo in 2011 cited her pay as an example of wasteful spending and tried to cap superintendent salaries at $175,000.

Friedman will likely serve the length of his contract, as the district does not anticipate hiring permanent superintendent mid-year, Cohen said, though such a development is possible.

Hankin announced her retirement July 2, prompting a contractually obligated internal search for an interim replacement, Cohen said. 

When no candidates came forward, the district began an external search, interviewed several candidates and selected Friedman.

Friedman, 68 and a Huntington resident, was a very qualified candidate with a command of the issues the district is likely to face through 2014, Cohen said.

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