Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations Jacqueline Rehak will leave her position with the Rockville Centre School District at the end of the school year to take a similar role in the Garden City School District next fall.
According to the Garden City Public Schools website, the Garden City Board of Education appointed Rehak as assistant superintendent for business and finance at its April 22 business meeting, citing her nine years of experience in school finance and operations.
“I am thrilled to join the Garden City community and look forward to collaborating with our dedicated staff and families to ensure every student reaches their full potential,” Rehak was quoted as saying on the district website announcement. “I am eager to begin building relationships across the district, ensuring every decision we make starts and ends with what is best for our students as we continue the tradition of excellence.”
The announcement comes as Rockville Centre residents prepare to vote on the district’s $141.3 million proposed budget for 2026-27, which includes a 2.06 percent tax levy increase that remains within the state tax cap. The spending plan, adopted by the Board of Education on April 16, comes after months of contentious public discussions surrounding district finances and efforts to close a multi-million-dollar budget gap.
Although the budget restores some positions and maintains funding for capital projects, the spending plan still includes major reductions. According to the district’s May 7 budget presentation, the proposal calls for the reduction of 20.8 teaching positions, including 18 excessed roles, 35 teacher assistant positions, one administrative position and reductions to facilitator stipends and bus matrons.
Rehak, who played a key role in developing and presenting the budget throughout the process, did not respond to the Herald’s request for comment.
During the Board of Education’s May 7 meeting, trustees publicly praised Rehak for her work in the district and for helping explain difficult financial issues during one of the most closely watched budget seasons in recent years.
“I really want to say how sad I am that Mrs. Rehak is leaving this district,” Trustee Tara Hackett said. “You have made very difficult concepts and even some answers broken down to be made easier to understand. You came in only a year and a half ago, but you made a lot of positive difference here and I really would like to thank you.”
Hackett also praised Rehak’s integrity and wished her well in her new role.
Board of Education President Kelly Barry echoed those sentiments during the meeting.
“Miss Rehak, you’re going to be sorely missed,” Barry said. “I don’t want to go without saying that publicly once again how much we respect and value you. Thank you for everything.”
One resident, however, criticized what she described as the optics of Rehak’s departure.
“Miss Rehak, it’s none of my business and I can tell you’re very smart, and so if I were you, I would be leaving too,” parent Shannon Lutz said. “But what a bad look this is for the district. A budget crisis and the superintendent for finance is leaving for a better district. Yikes.”
