After seven plus years as the principal of H. Frank Carey High School in Franklin Square, Dr. Tom Dolan left the position to become an assistant superintendent of the Manhasset School District. While a search is being conducted for a new principal, Dr. Leon Beckerman was named the interim principal at the school.

In less than a month's time at Carey, Dr. Beckerman had nothing but nice things to say about Carey High School. The commute from Westhampton where he resides to Franklin Square each day can't be an easy one. Formerly the principal of a high school in Port Jefferson Station for 21 years, Dr. Beckerman, who was enjoying retirement, said he would not attempt to fill the shoes of Dr. Dolan, a principal who was popular within the Carey and Franklin Square communities. "I'm not trying to take over for him. I'm trying to keep the place moving forward to keep the district's mission accomplished and to make sure the school continues to run until they find a replacement," he said. "It's hard to follow in somebody's footsteps who has such strong ties to the community."

Dr. Beckerman sees his role as just making sure the school runs smoothly and efficiently for the rest of the school year. It is a position he will hold until June.

Dr. Beckerman came to Carey through an agency called SCOPE, which provides schools with temporary administrators while they are in transition. The new Carey principal is impressed with Carey High School thus far. "It's absolutely fabulous. I have nothing but praise for both the faculty and the students I have met here," he said. "I'm also very impressed with the level of support the school receives from central office and the board of education."

In general, Dr. Beckerman said he senses an overriding support for the teachers and the programs at Carey. "You can see that in the staffing levels and you can also see that in my meeting with the PTA and the Carey Dads Club. I came from a place that was very supportive, but this is even more so. I am just impressed with the level of commitment both from the community and the parents and the board. It's just very impressive," he said.

Dr. Beckerman said he plans to do all he can to make sure everything runs smoothly and to support the students, faculty and community. With the Regents exams coming up as well as English language arts and math exams, the new principal plans to just follow the system that's in place. "The systems are in place to provide support for the students. What I see my role as is making sure the chairman in charge and the guidance people and the teachers get the level of support they need to make sure everything happens," he said.