Thomas DePaola, former Long Beach vice principal, takes over for Neil Connolly
The halls of the Carle Place Middle and High School will welcome a new principal when the school year starts in September as Thomas DePaola will take the reins from former principal Neil J. Connolly, who retired from his position after 37 years of service to the district.
Prior to his position at Carle Place, DePaola served as vice principal at Long Beach High School for the past three years. He served as a biology and chemistry teacher for 13 years at Farmingdale High School and was also a union officer for six years.
“I have met with the PTA, students, faculty and spent a large amount of time with Mr. Connolly learning about the district,” said DePaola. “I am thrilled to be a part of the Carle Place community and I am excited for the start of the new school year.”
DePaola brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from his 17 total years at Long Beach and Farmingdale and from his educational accomplishments.
“I am uniquely qualified for this position. I received my BS in science from Siena College where I studied the behaviors of wood tree frogs – Carle Place knows all about frogs,” DePaola said, referring to the school’s mascot.
DePaola received his Masters in biology from Binghamton University and went on to complete his Masters in educational supervision from the College of St. Rose.
“We are delighted to have someone with Mr. DePaola’s experience stepping into this position for Carle Place Middle School and High School,” said David J. Flatley, superintendent. “He brings a wealth of first-hand classroom knowledge and a keen understanding of the challenges facing today’s teenagers. Mr. DePaola’s experiences as a teacher, an administrator and a parent are sure to add to our tradition of excellence.”
DePaola started his new position on July 1 when he began reaching out to all of the incoming seventh-grade students, meeting with the Student Organization and talking with the PTA to prepare for the 2012-13 school year.
DePaola lives in Hicksville with his wife, Cathy and his two children, Thomas and Emily. In his spare time he likes to travel and visit presidential gravesites across the USA.
For more information, contact Carle Place Public Schools at 622-6440 or visit www. cps.k12.ny.us.
