The Hicksville Board of Education recently appointed Maureen Bright as the new superintendent of schools. Bright, who is currently celebrating her 10-year anniversary with the district, replaced Dr. Edward J. Finn who retired as of Aug. 1.

Bright earned a bachelor's degree from Nazareth College of Rochester and a master's degree from C.W. Post - Long Island University.

Upon graduation, she worked as a secondary education teacher for more than a decade before taking on a position as a department chairperson in a Suffolk County K-12 district and then as Superintendent for Community Services in a central high school district in Nassau County. She also completed postgraduate work in labor relations at both the New York Institute of Technology and C.W. Post.

In 1992, Bright came to the Hicksville School District as administrative assistant for community services. Over the past 10 years, she has held various positions, including director of Human Resources, assistant superintendent for administration and most recently, deputy superintendent.

Bright, who currently has a four-year contract as superintendent, said, "We face many challenges that are not unfamiliar to the districts that surround us such as limited financial resources, addressing state mandates, standards and assessments. But I want to assure both parents and residents alike that we are working diligently to provide quality educational programming and the best opportunities available to the children of Hicksville."

Over the next few years, Bright said she hopes the Hicksville School District will have greatly improved facilities and that the community will take pride in its school district and students. "I envision continued student success and quality student performance on every level," she said. "I am excited about the integration of technology into daily instruction and look forward to sharing in the learning and growing process of our staff, our students and, ultimately, our community."

When asked about the importance of an open line of communication between the school district and the community Bright said, "[It is] essential to the success of our school district. No district can be successful without an informed community."

Bright went on to say that a good example of open communication was the passing of Proposition One of the district's bond referendum. "Our board of education brought to our community certain school and student needs in two separate propositions," she said. "The community responded by passing Proposition One, which will enable the district to make various facility improvements to enhance learning environments throughout the district."

According to Bright, the board will be working to find alternative ways to address needs that were contained in the second proposition. "We will work together, as a district, to keep the community informed of the progress of items included in Proposition One and of board decisions with regard to items that were unable to be addressed in Proposition Two."

She also said that the district will work hard to ensure community awareness of the daily happenings that occur in the schools and the many student and staff successes. "We will keep the community informed of programming, test scores, state assessment results, student achievements, building and districtwide accomplishments and more," said Bright. "I look forward to sharing information about our schools with our community throughout the school year."

Overall, Bright said she is committed to improving education and the future for the Hicksville School District. "I look forward to working more closely with community members throughout the upcoming years," she said. "I believe not only in the potential of our students and schools, but also in the values and commitment of our parents and residents. I look forward to serving you and the students of the Hicksville School District.