Sewanhaka Central High School superintendent James Grossane is ready to pass the torch

After 41 years in education that saw him implement 21 new courses, James Grossane is retiring from his post as superintendent of Sewanhaka Central High School District.

Grossane guided district through the pandemic, stood up against racism and now is excited for his retirement.  

“I always wish I could do more in terms of creating more courses for students,” said Grossane. “Twenty-one was great, but I wish I could do more.”

The 21 new courses Grossane introduced during his tenure included broadcast journalism, investments, financial literacy, human body systems, robotics, coding and a medical assisting program. 

He worked in large districts that were K-12 before, but as Sewanhaka superintendent the work concentrated on college and career readiness, which he found exciting.

“My fondest memory was whenever I got to work with the students,” Grossane said. “I got to know them best with my Student Advisory Council with students from all five buildings in the district.”

He said he is also proud of having successfully led the district through the pandemic. He felt the district’s iPad one-to-one program — where every student and teacher has access to an iPad — helped with that. He said it was a major accomplishment for the district. 

Thomas Dolan, the interim superintendent coming in after Grossane recalled a story about Grossane that has stuck with him throughout the years. 

A few years ago, someone at a BOCES Section 8 basketball game had shouted racist remarks at a student. 

Grossane told the story of this inappropriate and offensive situation to a meeting of superintendents, including Dolan, who was at that time interim superintendent for Locust Valley schools. 

Dolan said Grossane stood up and professed that it was the superintendents’ job to make sure this never happened again — to make sure students, fans and coaches all know what the expectations are for their behavior. 

This initiative started with Grossane and continues today. 

“I remember going back to my office that day, at Locust Valley, and calling James,” said Dolan. “He wasn’t in, but the message I left for him was how proud I was to call him my colleague — and that is still the case.”

Dolan said Grossane have been working hard finishing up his projects and fulfilling final responsibilities before his time as superintendent comes to an end to make sure Dolan has a clean plate. 

“I, as the new guy, really appreciate that,” said Dolan. 

Grossane’s career began as a teacher for the speech and hearing impaired and as a special education teacher in East Meadow schools. He has a bachelor’s and master’s degrees in speech pathology and audiology, from Hofstra University and Adelphi University respectively. He received his doctorate from Columbia University in special education. 

Grossane was hired in 2019 as superintendent of Sewanhaka Central High School District. Initially, his contract went until 2022. Then he signed another three-year deal, but cut it short after discussing retirement with his family. 

In his retirement he said he is looking forward to traveling and spending time with friends and family. 

“I’m excited,” said Grossane. “I’m a little bit intrepid about it. But after 41 years, it’s time to pass the torch to someone else.”