After fast-tracking its search for a new superintendent late in 2023, the Springs School Board is poised to hire a new chief school administrator on Tuesday.
It has selected Nancy Carney, who retired as the superintendent of the Riverhead School District about seven years ago after spending about seven years in that post. Ms. Carney will succeed Debra Winter, who has been with Springs since July 1, 2017.
Ms. Carney had served as a principal at the Springs School from August 2002 through December 2003 and before that had been a fifth and sixth-grade teacher at the school.
"We are delighted to have a seasoned superintendent and former staff member of Springs taking over the helm on July 1, 2024, in a full-time position," Barbara Dayton, the school board president, said in an announcement on Monday morning.
Ms. Carney was among 33 people applying when Springs first announced the vacancy. Ms. Dayton said in November that 11 candidates were interviewed virtually and that five were interviewed in person through an extensive committee-screening process.
Ms. Carney retired from Riverhead in 2017, according to The Riverhead News-Review, which reported in December 2016 that she had been credited with passing a $78.3 million bond referendum in 2011 that expanded and modernized the facilities. Riverhead Local previously reported that she had been a classroom teacher and elementary school principal earlier in her career before going to Riverhead as an assistant superintendent in 2005.
She will join the Springs administration starting Feb. 1 as deputy superintendent for 10 days per month at the same per diem rate that Ms. Winter currently receives, which is $850.
Ms. Dayton said in the announcement that "we are bringing Ms. Carney on earlier than expected so she can focus on the business office, budget, and contract negotiations, which we believe will set her up for greater success when she steps into the full-time position."
This is a developing story that will be updated as more information becomes available.