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Overcast Wantagh School District gets a new leader
Board of Education names John McNamara next superintendent
John McNamara taught social studies for more than a decade in classrooms across Long Island before he became an administrator. Wantagh’s assistant superintendent for instruction said that he particularly enjoyed studying and putting together lessons about the Progressive Era, because it was a time of great change in the United States.
McNamara is still interested in technological advancement — and making decisions about how to bring more science and engineering into Wantagh’s schools when he becomes the district’s superintendent on July 1.
“I feel like we really need to provide students with 21st-century learning opportunities that are really going to prepare them for tomorrow’s world,” he said. “I look forward to continuing to enhance our instructional program.”
McNamara, 44, was named the district’s new leader at the Feb. 16 Board of Education meeting. Current Superintendent Maureen Goldberg, who is retiring this summer, said she would help him transition into his new role this spring.
McNamara came to Wantagh in July 2015 from the Plainview-Old Bethpage School District, where he was the middle school principal for six years. He has also worked as an assistant principal at Oldfield Middle School, in Greenlawn, and as social studies department chairman at Island Trees Middle School.
Before he became a department chairman, McNamara was a social studies teacher on the high school and middle school levels. He said that his role at Island Trees — which allowed him to teach and make administrative decisions — inspired him to think about becoming a superintendent.
“I started to see the way that I could have a greater impact on a school,” he explained. “The global impact that I have in my current role is unique … You really get a great sense of the K-12 continuum and the program needs.”
McNamara said that when he took on an administrative role in Wantagh less than two years ago, he wanted to enhance the district’s science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics, or STEAM, program across all grade levels. He said he was proud of the changes officials have made to curricula and the staff in the past two years — including hiring a full-time STEAM teacher for elementary students, establishing STEAM labs and the middle school Chromebook initiative, and the addition of the Advanced Placement Capstone, virtual enterprise and robotics and engineering courses at the high school — and hoped to build on them.
“I think [STEAM] was an area of need for us and an area that was of great interest to staff, students and community when I arrived,” McNamara said. “These are the skills that we want all of our students to leave Wantagh with so that they’re college- and career-ready.”
He thanked Goldberg — who joined the district in 1977 and was a special education teacher, director of pupil personnel services and principal of Forest Lake Elementary School for 17 years before becoming superintendent — for her leadership and mentorship. Board President Anthony Greco also expressed his gratitude to Goldberg and wished her well in retirement.
“Mrs. Goldberg stepped into the role of superintendent during a time of administrative instability in our district, and her leadership skills and commitment to our district and students have helped Wantagh reach a higher level of achievement,” Greco said. “We are very fortunate to have such a qualified candidate, who is already within the ranks of our administration, succeed Mrs. Goldberg.”
Under Goldberg’s leadership, Wantagh implemented full-day kindergarten and added many new academic programs, district officials said. The high school graduation rate remained steady at 99 to 100 percent, and student enrollment in AP courses has increased throughout her tenure.
“It has been my privilege to spend the majority of my career in Wantagh,” Goldberg said. “I will take many fond memories of my time here with me into my retirement. I thank the board, the students, staff and community for their support during my years here.”
She added that she was confident that Wantagh would continue to thrive under McNamara. Board members agreed, noting that they appointed him superintendent because they thought that he had the requisite professional qualities and personal integrity, as well as a strong familiarity with the community.
“Mr. McNamara’s knowledge of our student and staff population, academic programs and vision for the future will allow for a seamless leadership transition,” Greco said. “I have every confidence in his skills, and look forward to working together to achieve our mutual goals.”
McNamara, who grew up in Rocky Point, earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Providence College, a master’s in liberal studies, with a concentration in social studies education, from Stony Brook University, and school district administrator certification from Touro College. He lives in Farmingdale with his wife, Kim, and their two children, Colin and Molly.
He said that being a parent of a 7- and a 5-year-old would inform the decisions he makes in his new role. He thanked the board for having confidence in him.
“It is truly an honor to be appointed as the next superintendent,” McNamara said. “I’m excited to continue working with the entire school community to sustain and support the excellence, tradition and vision of the Wantagh School District.”
