Mineola High School principal Ed Escobar was appointed to assistant superintendent of human resources, a newly created position on Thursday. He will assume the post on July 1. Escobar, of Albertson, has worked in Mineola for 14 years, with a decade as principal, three years as assistant principal and one year as guidance supervisor. Prior to that, he worked in Deer Park and New York City schools.
“The leadership of this district has made Mineola a great school community,” Escobar said, whose three children, Michael, Luke and Jacob went through the Mineola school system.
“You’re plugged in to everything when you’re the high school principal. I’ll miss that. I’m proud of the things that have happened in Mineola.”
In Escobar’s new role, he’ll oversee personnel hiring and training, civil service appointments and serve as a liaison to colleges. He’ll handle food services, home school programs, central registry, course approvals and professional leaves, among other responsibilities.
“I’m always interested in new challenges,” Escobar said. “The high school principal is the longest position I’ve held in education. I think it’s a good time in my career [to do this. I think the achievements in Mineola have been solid and it’s time to leave it in new and younger hands and I think they’ve made a great choice.”
Supervisor of Guidance Dr. Whittney Smith will be appointed high school principal effective July 1, with a probationary period expiring on June 30, 2019. Smith been with Mineola since 2002, when he served as Mineola Middle School’s assistant principal. This is’ his first post heading up a school building. It’s unknown at this time who will fill Smith’s previous position.
“It’s an honor,” Smith said. “I think being with the district the past 12 years, I’ve gotten to know the students their families and the community.”
“You’re really going to be missed in the high school. The kids certainly will. The character of our students is a testament to you. I want to thank you for all the years you put in our high school.—Mineola School Board President Artie Barnett
The position was created on April 23 after the Mineola School Board abolished two central office positions in the chief information officer, assistant business administrator.
“This position is a savings for the [Mineola],” School District Superintendent Dr. Michael Nagler said. “We eliminated two positions that equal $240,000.”
In Escobar, Nagler sees the now former principal’s traits transferring well to the new post.
“Ed brings to the job, a love of people, a gift of gab,” Nagler said. “[He brings] the ability to welcome people into our district as well as supervise our senior administrators and secondary teachers.”
Smith has been based in the high school for the last three years, giving him a leg up in getting started as the building’s leader in July worked closely with Escobar. Smith holds a bachelors degree from Rutgers University, two masters in special education from Adelphi, where he serves as an adjunct professor and elementary administration from LIU Post. Smith attained his doctorate in educational leadership and policy at St. John’s University.
“I’ve had many mentors working in central office and with Ed [Escobar],” Smith said. “The past three years, especially at the high school, it’s given me plenty of experience to assume the [principal] role.”
With the school district’s iPad initiative spanning grades K-12 in September, Smith is eager to hit the ground running at the Armstrong Road institution.
“I’m looking forward most to continuing all the wonderful things that make the high school special as well as bringing the technology aspect into full operation,” Smith said.
Smith lives in North Merrick with his wife, Debbie, a nurse at North Shore LIJ and their four children.
“It was after much deliberation that we moved toward [Smith] as [Escobar’s] successor,” Nagler said. “Whittney brings a lot of things to the table. It makes it a lot easier when you’re a proven factor, to be confident that moving ahead is the right thing. He loves kids and have been taking care of kids [for a long time].”
