Meet Elmont school district's new superintendent Marlon Small

The Marlon Small era as superintendent of schools for the Elmont school district began July 1 as he replaces interim superintendent Kenneth Card.

Small was hired after a lengthy selection process by the education board that involved community collaboration and the search from School Leadership LLC. 

“We worked diligently to vet all candidates, and Mr. Small excelled in every step of the process,” former education board President Nancy Garlick said in a news release announcing Small’s appointment. 

Prior to leading the Elmont school district, Small was the superintendent of schools for the Greenport school district from 2020 through 2024. He also the assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction for the South Country Central School District, which serves the Village of Bellport and the hamlets of North Bellport and Brookhaven, from 2017 through 2020. 

Small started his education career in 1999 as a fourth-grade teacher in the Huntington school district where he would later serve as dean of students from 2002 to 2003. He worked as principal of an elementary school in that district for 11 years before he joined the South Country Central School District.

As a former classroom teacher and principal at the elementary level, Small is excited to bring his experience to the district. He expressed his knowledge of sensing what is important to parents, principals and teachers at this level is a strength he will bring to this role.

“While my foundational experience was at an elementary level, I do have the ‘K through 12’ perspective as well, which will be a positive and support for our staff and students as we prepare our students for the second and the third level (of their education),” Small said.

Throughout his own education, Small said teachers played a critical role in his life that went beyond their lesson plans. This inspired him to become an educator. 

“(It’s) important to give students opportunities and to make sure you serve as a role model and mentor for students,” Small said.

Small earned a bachelor’s degree in American Studies from State University of New York at Old Westbury in 1992, a master’s degree in elementary and special education from Adelphi University in 1999 and a professional diploma in educational administration and supervision from Dowling College in 2002. 

The new superintendent hosted meetings with parents, administration, principals, teachers, the inter-school parent teacher student association council and local parent teacher student associations to gain a better understanding of the district’s needs throughout the past several weeks.

“I’ve been hearing from individuals about (their) concerns, what is it they think that is going well (and) what they want us to work on,” Small said. “And then as I have those conversations with those individuals and groups, (I will) look for some of the common threads of what people are saying in order to know some of the things that I need to work on as I go forward.”

As superintendent, Small will evaluate the district’s programs to determine how they are working to meet the needs of Elmont’s students. He highlighted the district’s Model United Nations program and science research program as two “wonderful” resources available to students.

Throughout his conversations with parents, Small said he spoke about the district’s summer enrichment program and how it could be expanded to provide students with more opportunities next year. 

“I’m taking a comprehensive look at the range of opportunities in the district,” Small said. “How are they serving our students? How are they benefiting our students? How can we strengthen and expand them so that all or most of our students get the opportunity to be involved?”

Three new trustees also joined the education board this year at the July 1 reorganization meeting: Lynette Battle, Trecia Wong, and Dwayne Palmer. Small said he is eager to start working with the district’s team. 

“I’m looking forward to working with our community, administrative staff, teachers, students and parents to continue moving the district forward,” Small said.