Department Of Education Names New District 28 Superintendent

FOREST HILLS, QUEENS — The Department of Education on Thursday named veteran educational leader Dr. Tammy Pate as the next superintendent of District 28.

In her new role, Pate will oversee and support about 40 elementary and middle schools in Forest Hills, Rego Park, Kew Gardens, Briarwood Richmond Hill and Jamaica.

"I am committed to the success of the talented students and staff of District 28, and am truly honored to serve as Superintendent," Pate said in a statement Thursday. "Community empowerment is central to my work, and starting today I will be listening to principals, parents and parent leaders across the entire community and providing all of our schools with tools and resources so that our students reach their highest potential.”

Pate most recently served as deputy superintendent of District 10 in The Bronx, which is the city's fourth-largest school district, according to the Department of Education. She was also the founding principal of Renaissance School of the Arts in East Harlem.

"Dr. Pate is an exciting addition to District 28, and will help to continue the upward movement in student achievement," Executive Superintendent Andre Spencer said. "She will be a tremendous resource for all families, and we look forward to having her at the helm as important initiatives get underway across the district.”

Pate replaces Interim Acting Superintendent Seiw Kong, who spent four months in the role after former District 28 Superintendent Mabel Muñiz-Sarduy was promoted to her current position as executive superintendent of the Queens North region.

Kong will return to her original position as District 28 deputy superintendent, and the Department of Education will start searching for a new deputy superintendent in District 10 in The Bronx.