Wantagh School District Seeking Replacements for Three Administrators

As the summer winds down the Wantagh School District is suddenly being tasked with replacing three top administrators who submitted resignations this month.

On Thursday morning, Wantagh Board of Education president William Russack issued a statement saying that the board has accepted resignations from Superintendent Dr. Lydia Begley, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Patricia Krizan and Athletic Director Dan Butler. Russack said the school board is in the process of conducting interviews to fill the three administrative posts.

Begley, who has been Wantagh superintendent since 2009, will starting on Oct. 3.Krizan is taking a position with Rockland County BOCES as supervisor of instructional Services. A district spokeswoman said Butler did not specify in his resignation what his future plans are.

“Our top priority is ensuring that we continue to provide the best academic instruction and support for our children,” said Russack. “We look forward to the first day of school on September 6, 2011, and the upcoming school year, which will proceed without interruption.”

Prior taking over as Wantagh Superintendent in July 2000, Begley served as the district’s assistant superintendent for instruction from 1999 to 2009. Krizan replaced Begley as curriculum chief.

Russack did not provide a timetable for when replacements for Begley, Krizan and Butler will be named. The next Wantagh Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Aug. 25 in the Auditorium.