Long Beach Resident Appointed New Superintendent

David Weiss, a 30-year resident of Long Beach with more than three decades of experience in public education, was appointed the new superintendent of Long Beach School District.

The Board of Education unanimously approved Weiss to the position, effective July 1, at Tuesday’s meeting.

“The goal that I share with the board and with all of you, is that we want to look with pride at all of our schools and the opportunities that we create for out students to excel,” Weiss said when he addressed the community.

Weiss joins the district at a time when Long Beach schools are undergoing major renovations at school facilities and the implementation of new programs. He acknowledged that there are many controversial topics he must tackle.

“What I can promise you, as I promised the board, is that I will bring fresh eyes to these discussions,” he said.

Since 2004, Weiss has been the assistant superintendent for secondary education and district chief information officer at Commack Public Schools, prior to which he was an assistant principal at Commack High School. 

He began his career as a social studies and math teacher in Bay Shore and worked for 20 years in the Rockville Centre School District as a social studies teacher, coach and coordinator of the International Baccalaureate Program.

Weiss has been a member of the IB Organization’s North American District Task Force and is a co-founder and past-president of the Guild of International Baccalaureate Schools of the Northeast.

Weiss was selected among a field of some 20 applicants. The board narrowed the field to six candidates and had them interview with a selection committee, comprised of teachers, administrators, PTA members, non-instructional staff and community representatives. The committee sent three candidates back to the board to re-interview them and have them meet all principals, administrators and directors. 

“His tremendous ability to connect with each selection committee member during the interview process assured me that students, teachers and parents alike will find Mr. Weiss an excellent communicator and true partner,” said resident Karen McInnis, a member of the selection committee.

Board President Dr. Dennis Ryan thought it best to read various comments about Weiss from his references: “He’s a good communicator … he doesn’t get rattled … he’s steady … he’s an excellent teacher … he can handle a tough parent.”

Outgoing superintendent Dr. Robert Greenberg told Weiss: “It’s not the easiest job in the world, but I can think of no better one.”

Weiss and his wife, Linda have two children, a daughter, is HLena, a 2009 LBHS graduate now completing her sophomore year at Brown University, and a son, Ben, who will graduate from LBHS in June and attend Georgetown University next fall.