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Mostly Cloudy Lynbrook High School to get new principal
Lynbrook High School Assistant Principal Matthew Sarosy has been appointed to take over as principal in June after Joseph Rainis leaves the district.
The Board of Education will officially announce Sarosy’s appointment at its April 26 meeting.
“Mr. Sarosy has the experience, intelligence, character and ability to take on the role of principal at LHS,” Rainis said. “He’s an excellent communicator, he is balanced in his thinking, he always puts the students first and he understands the long-standing culture of both the building and the community. I wish him the very best as he takes on his new role.”
Sarosy has been assistant principal at the high school since 2012, and will become the 10th principal in school history. Rainis has served in the role since 2006.
Although Sarosy grew up in Franklin Square, his ties to the Lynbrook community run deep. His mother is an LHS alumna, and he fondly recalled visiting his grandparents’ home in the village when he was younger.
After graduating from H. Frank Carey High School in 2000, Sarosy earned a bachelor’s degree in history, with a concentration in secondary education, at St. John’s University in Queens. He said that during his time at SJU, he realized that he wanted to pursue a career in education, inspired by his sister Christine, who is a fourth grade teacher at Marion Street Elementary School. Sarosy earned a master’s degree in adult education from SUNY Buffalo State College and his administrative degree at C.W. Post.
Sarosy’s first teaching job was at The Mary Louis Academy, an all-girls Catholic school in Queens, where he taught ninth and 10th grade global history. After one year at TMLA, Sarosy was hired to teach eighth grade American history at Lynbrook North Middle School. With seven years of teaching under his belt and a new administrative degree, Sarosy applied for the assistant principal position at LHS, which became available in 2012. To his surprise, he said, he was offered the position.
“I put in my application thinking I didn’t have a chance,” Sarosy recounted with a laugh. “I thought, ‘It’s now or never,’ so I took a leap of faith, and it turned out to be the best decision I’ve ever made. I believe if something is meant for you, it won’t pass you by.”
As assistant principal of ninth and 10th grades — Salvatore Brescia is the assistant principal for grades 11 and 12 — Sarosy’s primary responsibilities are “attendance and discipline.” His role requires overseeing the day-to-day operations of the LHS building, monitoring student attendance, coordinating with the maintenance department and leading safety and security measures. Sarosy has also been integral in organizing the annual LHS prom and graduation.
In the past nine years as assistant principal, Sarosy has earned the nickname “Mr. Class Night” for his role in organizing the annual Class Night event, where students from all four grades perform skits, dances and create artwork, ultimately competing for the first place trophy. “The Master of Ceremonies,” as Rainis calls Sarosy, makes sure that the event is school appropriate, which means he must work closely with students. Sarosy said he believes that Class Night, which took place on March 17 and 18 this year, is a shining example of what makes Lynbrook so special, it being a student-run activity that promotes unity, dedication, and teamwork.
The first lesson Sarosy learned as assistant principal, he said, turned out to be the most influential in his career: “relationships are everything.” And, he has put this mantra to good use, as noted by his colleagues and LHS students.
“Mr. Sarosy will make a great principal because the students all have a great connection with him,” Student Government Association President Emma Leighley said. “Everyone knows who he is and has such a high level of respect for him. What I admire most about Mr. Sarosy is that he always puts the students first.”
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Melissa Burak expressed a similar sentiment.
“Mr. Sarosy has a calming manner that makes him approachable by students, parents and staff alike,” she said. “His leadership style will be supportive, collaborative and build upon strengths LHS offers, and work on improving that which needs to be strengthened.”
Last year, Sarosy took on the role of interim principal of Lynbrook South Middle School while Principal Kaitlin GaNun was out on maternity leave.
He said that in his three months in the position — during which he oversaw a return to in-person instruction — he learned the importance of providing stability and quality education for the families of Lynbrook, even during the most difficult times.
Sarosy was elected for the role of principal by a hiring committee comprising administrators, teachers, parents, and students. He was also interviewed separately by the Board of Education. His responsibilities will be broadened from day-to-day operations to a more holistic planning role as curriculum leader.
“I think Mr. Sarosy is a great choice for principal,” said BOE President William Belmont, who has worked with Sarosy throughout his time on the board. “He has the right character, personality, and vision to keep us moving forward, and I’ve always been impressed by him. He is both professional and empathetic, and he understands the needs of all the students and the staff, as well as the culture of the school.”
Sarosy said his first goal as principal is to oversee an official return to pre-pandemic norms while taking advantage of the newly renovated LHS building. He said that he hopes the new rooms, including the Innovation Center, will provide an expansion of educational opportunities for LHS students. He will emphasize student input and host “honest conversations” to improve the school where enhancements are needed.
“It is an honor to be named principal, and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to represent this district that is so rich in history,” Sarosy said. “I know that I am following two Lynbrook legends, Mr. Rainis and [the late] Dr. [Santo] Barbarino. I have learned so much from them, but above all, that community matters. Continuing that sense of community and belonging here is everything. That is what I hope will be my legacy.”
