Superintendent Appointed By Harborfields School District

GREENLAWN, NY — Dr. Rory Manning will serve as superintendent of the Harborfields Central School District, effective immediately, according to a news release.

Manning, who had been serving as interim superintendent since December 2020, was unanimously appointed to the position by the district's board of education at its meeting on Wednesday.

"I am humbled by the opportunity to continue to work for this wonderful community and I
am so thankful to the board of education for their guidance and support," Manning stated. "I
continue to be inspired by our students and staff each day. Together, as One Harborfields Family,
we can and we will continue to do great things."

With 25 years of educational experience, Manning has successfully led the district as
interim superintendent during an unprecedented time — the coronavirus pandemic. He worked with staff and the greater community to provide a safe school environment while minimizing disruptions due to COVID-19. He also helped all students in grades 6 through 12 return to full-time, in-person instruction. Manning has prioritized communication during the challenging time, providing regular written and video messages to parents.

In his role as interim superintendent, Manning has worked with the district's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Task Force as they look to implement a number of program enhancements. In addition, he has also worked with the board of education to develop the proposed budget for the 2021-22 school year, which provides a number of enhancements to the instructional program, while remaining within the district’s allowable tax levy cap.

"From the minute Dr. Manning began his role as interim superintendent, he enthusiastically
dived in and it was a seamless transition," said board of education President Suzie Lustig. "He has
worked countless hours with enthusiasm to ensure that our buildings continue to operate and
address the many needs of our students. However, the true cornerstone of his success has been his
understanding of the value of building relationships with all stakeholders in our community. There is no doubt that Dr. Manning is the perfect person to serve as our superintendent."