The Plainview-Old Bethpage Central School District Board of Education recently appointed Dr. Will Singleton as assistant to the superintendent for personnel. The responsibilities of the newly created position include overseeing the organization and operation of the personnel office, recruiting personnel, serving as liaison between bargaining agents and the superintendent, developing staffing requirements and advising the Board of Education on personnel matters.

Dr. Singleton was introduced to the community at the March 22 Board of Education meeting, when a special reception was held to welcome him and two others appointed to administrative positions in the district. He told the crowd, "My door is always open," and encouraged everyone to stop in. "I look forward to getting to know everyone personally," he said.

A resident of Rocky Point, Dr. Singleton began his career in education when he earned his Bachelor of Arts in political science from Howard University in Washington, DC. He subsequently earned a Master of Arts degree in history from Georgetown University, and a Doctor of Education from New York University.

Regarding his arrival at the district only weeks ago, Dr. Singleton noted, "After only having been here three or four days, I felt like I had been here five years in terms of the friendliness of the people." He observed that he was welcomed with open arms.

"I look forward to working with a man who is admired for his tenacity," noted Dr. Cavanna. "In a short time, he has already begun to make a positive impact in our district," Alicia Kabak, president of the Board of Education, added, "We are extremely pleased to welcome Dr. Singleton on board. He will be essential in ensuring that incomparable teachers and faculty members are hired to help our students achieve their full potential."

Dr. Singleton served as a consultant to a task force created by the new York State legislature, whose purpose was to review the electoral process for the New York City Community School Boards. Prior to that post, he served as superintendent of schools in the Roosevelt School District for three years. From 1988 to 1994, the new assistant to the superintendent held the position of assistant superintendent for administration and personnel in the Riverhead School District. Prior to that, he served as assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction in a rural district in Addison, NY. Toward the beginning of his career, Dr. Singleton worked at Huntington High School as assistant principal. His first position in the field of education found him in Washington's Alice Deal Junior High School, where he quickly moved up from social studies teacher to chairperson of the department.

Among his hobbies, Dr. Singleton enjoys tennis, reading non-fiction and playing pool. He has a special proclivity toward the music of the '50s and '60s.