Following a thorough search process, the Islip School District has tapped Dr. Dennis P. O’Hara as its next superintendent of schools, effective July 1, 2021. Dr. O’Hara succeeds Dr. Ellen Semel, who will be retiring after a long tenure with the district this June.
“Over the past several months the Board of Education has worked hard to identify the characteristics that our community desired in our next superintendent of schools,” Board of Education President Phil Dineen said. “One thing that resonated throughout this process was our community’s collective desire to select an individual who will work tirelessly to put students first, support our educators and engage with all stakeholders. I am extremely proud to say that we have found those attributes and more in Dr. Dennis O’Hara, as his work is guided by the mantra of ‘students first, pure intentions, best effort.’ We are so grateful to all those who contributed their thoughts, suggestions and input along the way and are happy to welcome him to our Islip school community.”
Dr. O’Hara joins the Islip School District from the Hauppauge Union Free School District, where he has served as superintendent of schools since 2016. During his time in education, Dr. O’Hara has worked to cultivate trusting and mutually respectful relationships with all stakeholders. While serving in Hauppauge, Dr. O’Hara helped to raise student achievement, improve postsecondary outcomes and elevate the external reputation of the school district. These efforts resulted in a 30% increase in the district’s advanced regents diploma rate, a 10% increase in the number of students attending four-year colleges and national recognition for Hauppauge High School – a first in the school’s history. Additionally, he worked with district stakeholders to cultivate supports for students’ emotional and social well-being, developed a districtwide curriculum committee to review and enhance programs, and improved safety and security across all buildings.
Prior to his work in Hauppauge, Dr. O’Hara served as the principal of the nationally ranked Oyster Bay High School for 13 years. He began his professional career in education as a classroom science teacher and has been published in various national publications. Dr. O’Hara is an affiliate of several professional organizations and has presented on best practices to his colleagues across the region. Furthermore, he is the recipient of numerous accolades, including the School Superintendents Association’s 2018 Dr. Effie H. Jones Humanitarian Award. In his personal time, Dr. O’Hara enjoys serving as an ocean lifeguard at Robert Moses.
“Since my own children were young boys, I have admired the Islip School District and community,” Dr. O’Hara said. “During every visit over the years, and recently, I could sense the tight-knit nature and feel the Islip pride. I am most excited to meet students and families and find ways to be of service. I cannot wait to work with the many dedicated and hard-working teachers, administrators, and staff to help change students' life trajectories. I feel blessed to be joining this school district and I am grateful to the Board of Education for their trust and support. Together, we will help every student develop the confidence to pursue his or her dreams."
Dr. O’Hara received his Doctor of Education degree from the University of Pennsylvania, his Master of Science degree from Stony Brook University and his Bachelor of Science degree from SUNY College at Old Westbury.