On August 1, 2023, Dr. Kenneth R. Bossert officially began his tenure as the twelfth Superintendent of the Great Neck Public Schools. Bossert replaced the late Dr. Teresa Prendergast, who was Great Neck’s superintendent for eight years. Prendergast succumbed to a ruptured brain aneurysm on June 10, 2023.
Bossert, a Harvard graduate, worked as an elementary school teacher, assistant and head principal, and Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction. He was the superintendent of Port Jefferson Union Free School District for five years before working for Elwood Union Free School District for seven years.
He also held prominent positions in other professional educational organizations. He is a member of the Commissioner’s Advisory Council, Treasurer of the SCOPE Board of Directors, and the Executive Committee of the New York State Council of School Superintendents. He is a part-time professor at Stony Brook University’s Educational Administration Program. He is also the former President of the Suffolk County School Superintendents Association.
Junior Joyce Fu said, “Dr. Bossert’s extensive experience and accomplishments in the education field will undoubtedly be reflected in his work for Great Neck.”
On the opportunity to work in Great Neck, Bossert explains, “The opportunity to be a part of the outstanding team in Great Neck is not one I could pass up. The focus on excellence and sense of community is something I find very attractive and want to help build upon.”
Dr. Bossert also has many goals and objectives he wants to accomplish as Superintendent.
A summary of Bossert’s 100-Day Entry Plan includes developing key relationships, site visits, human resources, transportation, technology, public relations and communication, and more.
“I often say “the race for excellence has no finish line”. I want to work with all stakeholders to make Great Neck the premier district in the U.S.,” said Bossert. “Along with that, I want to make sure every student has the opportunity to reach his/her own full potential and achieve whatever diverse goals they set for themself.”
He adds, “Being a Superintendent is more than a job. It is a position in the community. One I take very seriously. Each day provides a chance to make a positive impact on the life of a student.
Bossert emphasizes the importance of listening to the people. He says, “I would like to think that I communicate well. Effective communication begins with actively listening. I try to do that at all times.”
Outside of the classroom, Dr. Bossert is an avid golfer and an enthusiastic Yankees and Rangers fan. He states, “I am certainly a sports fan and love to play golf as time permits.”
Dr. Bossert is filled with eager anticipation as he embarks on his career in Great Neck, where he is determined to chart a fresh course for the public school district, securing its position as a leading educational institution. With unwavering enthusiasm, he envisions active involvement with the vibrant Great Neck community during his tenure as Superintendent, assuring all stakeholders that the educational system is poised for a continuous upward trajectory of enhancement. His commitment to this noble cause is boundless, and he eagerly anticipates the journey ahead, brimming with transformative experiences and remarkable achievements.
