John Murphy named new SSHS principal

At a meeting on May 6, the Board of Education confirmed John Murphy as the new principal of South Side High School.

Murphy, who is now the school’s assistant principal and the district’s International Baccalaureate coordinator, will replace outgoing principal Dr. Carol Burris on July 1.

“I couldn’t be happier,” Burris said. “I’m so delighted. I’m delighted that they chose John, and I’m delighted that John chose the challenge.”

Murphy has been with the district since 1997, when he came to SSHS as an English teacher. In 2001 he switched to teaching part-time when he became the I.B. coordinator. He was promoted to assistant principal in 2007. Before coming to Rockville Centre, he was a middle school English teacher in East Elmhurst, Queens.

When Burris announced her retirement last month, the district began an internal search for a new principal. Dr. William Johnson, the district’s superintendent, was hopeful that a suitable candidate would be found in the district so that he or she could begin more quickly and save the district a lengthy search process.

“We had four committees interview him,” Johnson said of Murphy. “He was successful in all of them. Nobody had anything negative.”

The committees were made up of parents, teachers, administrators from other buildings and the central office, Johnson explained. All four committees unanimously approved Murphy as principal.

“The reason why you want a person vetted through all the committees is that everyone has a different perspective,” Johnson said. “I may not ask what a teacher or parent asks. You want to know that everyone is satisfied that this is the person leading this building.”

Murphy’s years as a teacher and administrator helped him win over many people. He is no stranger to the way things are done at South Side. “As a teacher and administrator, John Murphy has earned the respect and admiration of students, faculty, administration and parents,” said Board of Education President Liz Dion. “He’s a strong advocate for students and has helped develop and nurture our inclusive model at South Side High School. Having worked with him as an assistant principal at South Side, we’re excited, and look forward to continuing the excellence that our community has come to expect.”

Murphy said that he was excited about taking over. “I’ve gotten through the nervous apprehension,” he joked.

“We’re on the verge of really exciting stuff,” he said. “The new building, the implementation of new technology. I really wanted to be part of that. I thought someone with an insider’s perspective would make sure the continuum of education stays the same.”

He added that he doesn’t have any plans to make massive changes at South Side. There are programs that are still in their infancy, he said, like I.B. U.S. History For All, in 11th grade, and the initiative to give every student an iPad next year. He said he intends to see those programs through their pilot phases before making any more changes.

Burris, who is leaving her post after 15 years to advocate against the changes in the state’s education system, said she is confident she is leaving the award-winning school, routinely named one of the nation’s best, in good hands.

“John understands the philosophy of South Side High School,” she said. “He understands the community. And he has a vision that is very aligned with Dr. Johnson’s vision and the vision of the Board of Education, which has been a vision that I have shared.”

Burris said she has been recording short videos for Murphy on her iPhone and sending them to him, explaining how she handles some of the more mundane, but still important, aspects of running the building. And she has some not-yet-parting advice.

“I think what I would say to John, and what I’ve said to him, is that it’s a very difficult job, but it’s without a doubt the best job in the world,” she said. “And to make sure he carves some time for himself. I was never particularly good at doing that. And make sure he listens well. I think, over the years, as I became a better listener, I became a better principal.

“I think he’ll only bring South Side High School to an even better place than it is now,” she added.